Bidnija sham sheep farm application suspended after deluge of objections

An application to turn what has been labelled a sham sheep farm into a residential unit and agritourism business in Bidnija has been suspended after it received a deluge of objections and NGOs, together with over 100 individuals, earlier this week filed a class action calling for the original permit’s revocation.

The suspension, requested by the architect and the owner of the outrageous development Konrad Bezzina, arrives in the midst of a five-year ongoing saga.

The development dates back to 2018 when the Planning Commission headed by Elizabeth Ellul ignored the objections – including those of the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the Agricultural Advisory Committee – and green-lit the out-of-proportion supposed farm in the middle of an idyllic valley.

Despite the application immediately looking suspicious, even in terms of its design being more suited to a hotel than a sheep farm, the PA approved the architect’s plans for a massive building.

Right after its completion and without a single hoof on the ‘farm’, Bezzina filed another application, this time to turn part of the building into a residence for his family and another part as a business.

That last application drew the ire of NGOs and hundreds of objectors who accused the PA of allowing the blatant abuse, as had been predicted when the first application was filed.

The architect/owner has now asked the PA to suspend the processing of the latest application, in a possible bid to buy more time in which to tweak plans into something more palatable for the PA and objectors.

The Planning Authority’s Agricultural Advisory Committee even raised the issue of the ‘sheep farm’ being a mere excuse to build a residence in the idyllic setting – having previously declared that Bezzina was not a registered farmer and had no experience or track record in the rearing of animals.

The Committee said that Bezzina had given no proof of any technical knowledge or experience in farming and that the structure as built differs significantly from the original PA permit, making the sheep farm look more like a dwelling than an agricultural facility.

Bezzina is now asking the PA to sanction all the previous illegalities in this latest application.

                           

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12 Comments
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Francis Said
Francis Said
1 year ago

A five star residence for sheep. The PA believed that all was above board.
Another shameless farce.

Greed
Greed
1 year ago
Reply to  Francis Said

When is Eddie and co moving in?

Toni Borg
Toni Borg
1 year ago
Reply to  Greed

issa hu lil martek u l-uliedek bahnan!

Joseph Tabone Adami
Joseph Tabone Adami
1 year ago
Reply to  Francis Said

Blessed are they who do not see (the deluge of objections and the cheek of the ‘developer’) but believe (what has been shamelessly fed to them)

M.Galea
M.Galea
1 year ago
Reply to  Francis Said

The PA guide them how to apply!

Charles Falzon, Sliema
Charles Falzon, Sliema
1 year ago
Reply to  Francis Said

Shameless CORRUPTION rather than a farce, Mr Said.

raymond
raymond
1 year ago
Reply to  Francis Said

All PA members that approved this blatant sham should be held personally responsible and made to pay for this. Their bank income and any unexplained wealth should be checked as well.

wenzu
wenzu
1 year ago

That’s the way. First build illegally; second, get the illegalties sanctioned. How about the authorities(sic) actually demand that all this is demolished and the site reurned to it’s original spec.

karmenu Psaila
karmenu Psaila
1 year ago
Reply to  wenzu

Yes Demolishing the place will be the best decision and who allowed this to happen has to be suspended .

Joseph Galea
Joseph Galea
1 year ago

Sheep deserve a treat as well under Labour !!

Toni Borg
Toni Borg
1 year ago

Why isn’t Elisabeth Ellul being prosecuted for over stepping her remit???
Am sure that a check into her bank accounts might reveal some extra lolly she pocketed!

But wait…..let the institutions work!! 😂😂

Leonel
Leonel
1 year ago
Reply to  Toni Borg

Could not AGREE MORE

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