1 comment.MEPA aproves turning Mgarr Hotel into block of apartments
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The Malta Environment and Planning Authority, today approved the application for the former Mgarr Hotel, Ghajnsielem, to be converted into 41 apartments with 68 garages.
The MEPA board chairman, Mr Austin Walker said that the board approved the application as it would benefit the tourism industry and improve the skyline of the area due to the layout of the development.
Mr Walker said that the board from now on, will take a much harder line when they look at any other applications received for change of use on buildings that were originally used in the tourism industry, in particular, those that are in ODZ zones.
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This is absurd. If a building is outside development zone, and the owner does not wish to run it as a hotel anymore, which was its original purpose, the building should be demolished. A well-run hotel gives jobs to local population and constant income; apartments are a hit-and-run stint, with no benefits to the Gozitans, as they will not afford these apartments. Most of these ‘holiday’ apartments will stay empty during most of the year, and it is a terrible waste of resources. It is difficult to see how a conversion of hotel into apartments ‘benefits the tourism industry’, otherwise, why ‘taking hard line from now on’ on such conversions, Mr. Walker? And, of course, massive 6 storey buildings on the ridges are so traditional in Gozo, and they make the skyline look so much better. Perhaps there will be more of them soon, MEPA, anyone? Ta’ Cenc, Ramla il-Hamra, Hondoq?