Residents in Għarb are fighting to stop a proposed elderly care home from being built on agricultural land, after a Planning Authority case officer recommended the development for approval despite widespread objections.The proposal, which will be discussed by the Planning Authority on 10th November, involves a care home accommodating 48 elderly residents on land at the edge of the Gozitan village.According to the Għarb Local Residents Association, the project has attracted nearly 1,000 objections across different versions of the plans, with residents concerned about its size, impact on the village’s traditional character and encroachment into Outside Development Zone (ODZ) land.The association argues that the building would tower over neighbouring one- and two-storey homes, while narrow surrounding roads could create problems for ambulances, deliveries and additional traffic.“The scale of the proposed building and its use is completely inappropriate in this old quarter of the village with its beautiful narrow streets,” Għarb resident David Pace said.Resident Debbie Debono also questioned the recommendation for approval.“With so many issues and irregularities, we’re asking ourselves whether the unnamed case officer has exercised appropriate due diligence before recommending approval. And if not, why not?”The Planning Authority’s case officer report confirms that the site is currently used for agriculture and that part of it falls outside the development zone.However, the report states that the care home’s main building would be within the development zone, with the proposed vehicle access and ramp extending into ODZ land.The Environment and Resources Authority has objected to interventions beyond the development boundary, but the case officer considers the proposed access acceptable and has recommended approval.The proposal includes 32 rooms, 48 beds and 18 parking spaces, according to the case officer’s assessment.Residents are now hoping the Planning Authority board will reject the recommendation when it considers application PA/02994/24 next Tuesday.Do you think the proposed elderly care home should be approved?•