Kissing ODZ goodbye - 1

Abstract

This is the first in a short series of articles in which I will delve into the implications of the proposed revision of the Outside Development Zone policies. The recently-launched proposals for the revision of ODZ policies (downloadable from www.mepa.org.mt/public-consultation) are being touted as absolutely justifiable. They are being branded and marketed using appealing motivations, ranging from ‘giving agrotourism a sorely-needed boost’ to ‘giving genuine farmers the possibility to expand their activities’. However, if one cares to scratch beyond the surface, one notices that the plethora of proposals being made contain an equally vast range of planning loopholes, which effectively render the proposals ex tremely dangerous. The sheer ex tent of the proposals warrant my dedicating more than one article to the issue.