11 comments so far.MEPA statement on redevelopment of the Mgarr Hotel
 Email item
|  Print item
|
|
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) board gave the green light for the redevelopment of the former Mgarr Hotel. The site, which is a ‘gateway’ to Gozo and in a strategically sensitive area, will no longer have a five-storey imposing development at its ridge edge but will have recessed floors starting from two storey and a basement.
The application which includes the development of 41 apartments and 68 garages is in broad accordance with the Gozo and Comino Local Plan and the Ridge edge policies of the area. This development was already agreed to in principle following the granting of an outline development permit in July 2005.
Highly praised by the Ghajnsielem local council, the development will safeguard the interests of the local agricultural community that have access to their fields from within the site that is to be re-developed.
Following the approval of this application and irrespective of it, the MEPA Chairman Mr. Austin Walker made a public statement, whereby he re-iterated that the MEPA board will adopt a ‘no compromise’ position on any future considerations for the re-development and change of use of any strategic tourism development outside development zones (ODZ). Mr. Walker emphasized that while tourism development permits merit certain concessions due to their nature, in the future, the board will not tolerate that owners of such permitted developments decide to apply to have their permit changed for residential purposes. This practice could threaten the future demand for tourism accommodation and hence the pressure to give up more ODZ strategic sites for tourism development.
The MEPA board also approved the development of a small and medium size enterprise (SME) park in the area known as T’Alla u Ommu in Burmarrad. The site, which had been identified and approved in the SME site selection exercise, will include the development of warehouses and basement parking.
The Board also re-confirmed its decision for the scheduling of Villa Barbaro in Tarxien together with a designated Buffer Zone around the property which will limit any development to a maximum of two floors above street level and any basements are to be completely underground.
Who are these lucky developers if I may ask? I know its difficult to have ‘real’ names here on this Republic but can someone try?
“No longer a five-storey development”…?
So how high is it?
From the picture, it appears higher than the hotel was.
Oh… and uglier.
I am English & my interpretation would more like Micky Mouse then a republic. Period.
Certainly. 6 storey buildings always look better, than 5 storey. Actually, on the picture of existing building, I can only see 3 storeys, whereas the new building counts 6. The ‘recessed floors’ only disappear from a very close perspective. A building on a ridge will show all storeys, recessed or not, from, say, Comino, or any similar distance.
All this happened without the Ghajnsielem council even objecting for the flats
It should have been built another hotel again .
After these block of flats are finished how many people are going to work?
Certainly not the same amount as Mgarr hotel used to.
Then what about the promisses tha was made in regards Chambray ,
I am sorry but ghajnsielem should wake up it has been taken for a ride for quite some time now
Well we don’t want to see another disaster just like chambray, its like Australia, everyone knows where it is but nobody wants to go there, don’t make the same mistake twice – Please. Keep Gozo as the best Island out the two.
Well done to Ghajnsielem Local Council. Happy dreams!! Still snoring! Not a single word when Fort Chambrai was being ruined, when the Belvedere is becoming the property of the Grand Hotel Owners, happy with the block of flats replacing the monsterous Mgarr Hotel. Well done guys! Do stand up and resign!! We have been taken for a ride for too long. This is ENOUGH!!
Christmas is approaching. Hope that this year MEPA won’t give the necessary permits for Betlehem f’Ghajnsielem. A year has passed and still rumble and ruins are still on site!! What a shame!! MEPA do stand up please!
I agree perfectly with Tonio. Ta’ Passi area is a green area for all to enjoy, even during November and December. We Ghajnselmizi deserve better, much better!
Dear Mario and Tonio, Your comments regarding Ta Passi and the Christmas village are totally out of place in an article concerning the Mgarr Hotel development.
But I cannot leave your baseless comments unanswered… Ta Passi area was a totally abandoned area. Hundreds of meteres of rubble walls have been rebuilt, tons of illegal dumping removed and several trees have been planted… Work was done by several volunteers in order to create a unique attraction to Gozo.
In fact Bethlehem f’ Ghajnsielem was a complete success. And one year later we have Ta Passi area which is totally different (bettern and cleaner) then 12 months ago plus another promising great attraction for Gozo. Still ‘Ta Passi’ remains a green area will remain open for everyone.
Therefore both you and your families are welcome to come and give a helping hand in ensuring that Bethlehem f’ Ghajnsielem 2009 is another great success.
Ghandhom ghajnejn u ma jarawx
Ghandhom widnejn u ma jisimghux
Tiskanta certa nies x’interessi mohbija jkollhom.
Il-verita’ hija wahda. Tassew kaz ta’ Il-Hbieb tal-Hbieb. Hekk jimxi dan il-pajjiz.