Activist organisation Moviment Graffiti has voiced its concern about a sudden increase in planning applications in Marsaxlokk.

“In the last few months, a number of suspicious applications have been submitted concerning an area of approximately 300 tumoli of agricultural and ODZ (Outside Development Zone) land in the zone known as Il-Marnisi, in Marsaxlokk.”

“This story began around two years ago when farmers who had been working this land for generations were suddenly faced with exorbitant sums demanded for the purchase of the land, or else they were subjected to extremely high rent prices. Essentially, this meant that they were forced to abandon their livelihoods and the land they had been cultivating for so long.”

“Unfortunately, all of this happened before the new law on fourth-generation lease rights came into effect, aiming to protect the rights of farmers better. Many of the farmers in Marsaxlokk have already lost their fourth-generation lease rights. However, it’s not only the farmers who are losing; we have also lost 300 tumoli of fourth-generation lease land.”

“All of us are well aware of how invaluable this is in the context of our country’s urbanisation, climate change, and in a context where our country increasingly relies on food imports.”

Graffiti claim that land is being sold for substantial profits, and today it has become the target of at least 10 applications for “agricultural” or recreational purposes, some of whom unashamedly intend to build a pool and villa.

Apart from the fact that this land is no longer arable, the “agricultural” structures on ODZ land are often used as an excuse for this land to be gradually condemned for development, as seen with the famous “razzett għan-nagħaġ” in Bidnija and Portelli’s “agricultural” complex in Nadur.