Watch: ‘I Got A Paper Saying I Had One Month To Leave’ – Żurrieq Farmer Recounts Moment Agricultural Land Was Seized For Private Development
A young Maltese farmer recounted the moment he found out agricultural land in Żurrieq, which has been farmed for generations, was going to be turned into a road and completely developed.
“I found a paper stuck to the wall outside telling me I have one month to leave,” Robert said in a video posted by NGO Moviment Graffitti.
A few weeks later, in early 2022, farmers started seeing notices all around the fields of Tal-Bebbux about the “infamous application” PC/00068/22.
Given that no prior meetings with affected farmers were held, no alternative was suggested and no solution was offered, Robert was completely shocked at this sudden decision.
A planning control application to align a new road connecting Triq il-Kanonku Vinċenz Balzan with Triq l-Imqabba and develop the surrounding area was accepted last year. The application seeks to establish residential zoning with a height limit of three floors plus a semi-basement.
The applicant is Francis Spiteri, who owns Tal-Karmnu Construction Company. His architect is Mauro Debono.
However, citizens are still in time to object to this decision which, back in 2024, received some 1,000 objections, including by the PL-led local council.
“We need to stop the abuses of developers who are committed to seizing government land,” the farmer said.
“During the pandemic, we told farmers: Don’t stay home. Go out and work, we need food on our tables. When the war in Ukraine broke out everyone started talking about food security. So, is this really how we’re going to treat our farmers? Not even a meeting was held.”
His appeal to the government is to lead by example, reminding that all of this land belongs to the state.
The area was previously marked as ODZ but it lost this protection back in 2006 through a rationalisation exercise by the government. Despite this, it remained agricultural land utilised by local farmers.
The public has until Wednesday, 19th March to oppose this decision. Click here to object.
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