‘We Needed More Space For Animals’: ‘Controversial’ Bidnija Sheep Farm Owner Files Revised Application
The owner of a controversial sheep farm in Bidnija has finally spoken out after he filed a revised application of the previous plans to include more space for sheep.
The planning application, which outlined additional uses for a Bidnija sheep farm such as residential units, has been revised to propose dedicating more space to the animals.
The new application no longer requests to convert some of the space to a farmer’s quarters and two guest rooms that were intended for agritourism. Meanwhile, the revised application was filed by farmer Jason Vella, who comes from a farming family and is well-known in the industry for producing cheeselets.
“We tried to do everything by the book and it backfired because people misinterpreted our intentions. This project was always intended as a sheep farm that creates fresh local produce. We simply wanted to provide visitor access so guests could watch the process,” Vella explained.
“In line with practices around the world, we proposed to add two guest rooms, in which case it would make sense to have the farmer sleep there too. However, given the reaction from the public, we decided to scrap those plans and simply request visitor access.”
“The rest of the space will be used to house more sheep,” Vella said, adding that there was never any intention to build more of the site or to extend any of the property.
He also claimed that there was never any attempt to change the use from farming to anything else. The goal was simply to add ancillary uses over and above the farming, to provide a more holistic experience to potential visitors.
The farm, which was built in 2019 after obtaining planning permission, is already operational and hosts a number of sheep. This new planning application will allow the number of sheep hosted at the property to triple.
Claiming to be built as 100% eco-friendly and self-sustainable, the farm obtains its water needs from rainwater harvesting and its energy needs from solar panels while using manure to fertilise the nearby fields.
The sheep farm, which was approved back in February 2019, has long been controversial and objectors had warned that the project was simply a smokescreen for further development in the untouched valley.
It covers a massive 3,200 square metres in Wied tal-Ħżejjen, which lies within ODZ in the rural town of Bidnija.
The three-storey high building had always raised eyebrows given its design, which seemed to indicate that the applicant had further plans beyond rearing sheep.
According to the previous plans, the lower ground floor would have had pens for adult sheep, chickens, and rabbits, a lambing bay, a milking parlour, and a dairy production room.
However, a kitchen, retail outlet, residence, educational/therapy area, exhibition area, tasting area, two guest rooms, and a breakfast/dining area had been proposed for the upper area.
What are your thoughts on this revised application?
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