Plans have been submitted to the Planning Authority (PA) to turn a derelict farm structure into two villas with adjacent pools within a Natura 2000 site in Mellieħa. The proposed development in Triq il-Qammieħ will take up some 4,188 square metres outside of the development zone, with the two proposed dwellings spanning 686 and 694 square metres respectively. The alarm was raised by heritage NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa, who said that the proposed site falls within a Natura 2000 site, an environmental protection site and bird sanctuary, and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation within an Area of Ecological importance. “The proposed two extensive residential units with basements and pools on this remote ODZ site are surely unwarranted when such use can easily be accommodated within the development scheme,” Din l-Art Ħelwa said in its objection to the development. “The construction of these two villas counters all policies pertaining both to the site itself, and to the rural area in general, and therefore deemed unacceptable.” The application for development was filed by Joseph Manuel Galea. Plans for the proposed villas can be viewed under the Planning Authority application...