PA sanctions structures at L-Arka ta’ Noe’ Zoo in Siġġiewi

The Planning Authority yesterday voted to sanction structures that had been built illegally at the L-Arka ta’ Noe’ zoo in Siġġiewi,

The existing site is of approximately 10,565 square metres and existing commitments include paths providing access throughout the site and landscaping.

The site includes a farmhouse, stables, cages and landscaped areas.

A number of zoo-goers attended the meeting, and spoke in favour of the zoo, arguing in favour of its “therapeutic” qualities.

A parent of a child with autism explained that the child feels free at the site. “We go through many difficult situations, but this site offers us peace of mind. We ask you to take this into consideration.”

Bjorn Formosa, from the ALS Foundation, said the site had more positive aspects than negative ones, adding that while illegalities needed to be regularised, the place still had positive effects on people.

The case officer had concluded that from a planning perspective, sanctioning the animal enclosure was acceptable, recommending it for approval “subject to a fine and to the submission of revised plans indicating the demolition of the farmhouse and the rendering of any related amenities and supporting facilities in lightweight reversible materials and of a scale to accommodate the minimum space required.”

Originally, a planning gain of €50,000 was proposed, but this was reduced to €5,000 and a corporate social responsibility alternative, where the applicant (Anton Cutajar) would need to sign an agreement with the Department of Education for schools to be able to take students there for free within six months.

The applicant, however, needs to pay a separate of €50,000.

In addition, the applicant and his representatives argued that the farmhouse was present prior to the applicant taking over the site. They also questioned the logic behind demolishing part of the farmhouse and rebuilding it with lightweight materials, arguing that the farmhouse is currently used for the medical treatment of the large animals. “What will happen during the reconstruction period,” one person asked. The applicant’s representatives, who included former Labour Party MP Luciano Busuttil, were all against the reconstruction idea.

The board subsequently changed the condition, saying instead that if the building ever has a change of use, it will need to be demolished.

Three members of the board, including its chairman, Vincent Cassar, and Head of the Environment and Resources Authority Victor Asciak voted against sanctioning. The chairman said that the application for the structures should have been filed before, not after the structures had already been built. The ERA chief and the other board member argued that this could set a precedent, and so voted against. still fine