Huge greenhouse and solar farm development application filed on ODZ land in Burmarrad

Another proposed development involving greenhouses and a solar farm has been proposed, this time in the limits of Burmarrad on ODZ land.

The site is mostly empty plot of land, currently not being used, with a few existing structures. The surrounding areas are predominantly empty plots or used for agricultural purposes. The landscape is dominated by flat fields, following the site contours of the area. Mostly empty plots of lands surround the solar farm; while a couple of servicing companies present north from the site.

Similar to the proposed Mgarr development, it is facing opposition by farmers and residents on social media.

The site is at Triq is-Sardin, Triq Burmarrad, Burmarrad, St Paul’s Bay.

The total site area is 27,104sqm – equivalent to almost four football pitches.

The Project Description report reads: “The proposed development is primary designed as an addition to existing green houses to repurpose a site, into a 2.2 megawatt photovoltaic plant. This plant shall comprise of 4,416, 500 Watt photovoltaic modules. A total PV system of 2208 kW necessitates a new chargeable substation.”

The project is nearly identical to a development application filed in Mgarr, which also seeks to replace agricultural land with greenhouses topped with solar panels. That application, which was filed by the same applicant as in this case, has been met with widespread protests.