maghtab

The site of the road contractor’s yard which has been operating illegally for a number of years, surrounded by farm buildings.  The was recently granted a ‘temporary’ Outline Permit on reconsideration in spite of having been refused by the Environment Protection Directorate as well as by the Natural Heritage Advisory Committee.  The area Out of Development Zone (ODZ), designated for agricultural use and within the Maghtab Rural Settlement Category 2.

Structural works have been carried out on the site in violation of the permit conditions :
1 - This Outline Development Permission is limited to the approval of temporary open storage facilities, no form of permanent structures are to be permitted while the whole site is to be concealed through landscaping. A mobile office within the site for administrative purposes may be considered.
2 - No work shall commence on site until full development permission has been granted for the development.
 
This sets a very dangerous precedent.  It is not known if studies have been carried out to assess the effect of dust from the mounds of builder’s gravel on the surrounding agricultural establishments and fields beyond.