ERA objects to controversial Siggiewi villa extension

The Environment and Resources Authority is objecting to the extension of a basement under a villa developed on agricultural land, a permit for which had been issued on the pretext that a neighbouring garage once served as a livestock farm.

The application was presented by Roderick Farrugia, son-in-law of former Labour MP Bertu Pace, today a consultant to the parliamentary secretary responsible for rural affairs.

Farrugia has now applied to extend its basement and washroom.

The current application seeks to further consolidate the existing dwelling by extending the basement and making several minor changes to the villa’s layout.

Originally an 80 sq.m basement consisting of a domestic store was approved. Now the basement area is being extended to 145 sq.m to cover the whole area under the building. The case officer report for the original application states that the basement is “slightly elevated” over ground levels but was being adequately “screened”.

Both the original and the latest applications have been presented by architect and Labour MP Charles Buhagiar.

The Environment and Resources Authority is objecting to the extension, reminding the Planning Authority that the original application was approved against the advice of the PA’s environmental experts because of the loss of agricultural land and “in view of foreseeable future pressures for development”. 

The current application seeks to further consolidate the existing dwelling by extending the basement and making several minor changes to the villa’s layout

The ERA called on the Planning Authority to ensure “that no further interventions are approved within this site”.

The original permit was granted by the Environment and Planning Commission in September 2015 after the applicant presented an official letter from the Agriculture Department confirming that the farm was in operation prior to 2000.

The Rural Policy and Design Guidance (2014) and the previous Agriculture, Farm Diversification and Stables Policy allow a change of use from a derelict farm to a residential dwelling, once it is proved that the farm had been derelict for more than 10 years.

The permit was issued on the strength of a letter under the Agriculture Department’s letterhead.

Signed by a labourer who described himself as a “vet support assistant”, the letter certified that the area had been used as a farm prior to 2000. On this basis, the developer was able to apply for a permit under the new rural policy.

But the letter was later withdrawn after it was established that a labourer could not sign the letter.

Finally in April 2016 the board voted against revoking the permit.

The applicant had submitted eight affidavits by people testifying that the building had been used as a farm before 2000. As approved, the villa includes a driveway and paved areas surrounding the proposed dwelling.