The Gozo Business Chamber has joined with other voices to welcome the announcement by Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri of a new design policy for Gozo.

This would see the introduction of stone facades for all new buildings on the island, including the rear of buildings which are at the perimeter of building zones.

The Chamber in its statement, also reacted positively to Gozo being considered as a “test-bed for this new policy, given its small size, distinctiveness, and homogeneity.”

The GBC said it believes that this is an important first step whereby a regional outlook is adopted to policy making, not one which is national, but one which is place-based, and which takes into consideration the context of the island and preserves its distinct characteristics.

The Chamber said that there have been many occasions when “Gozo has been impacted negatively from national policies which did not take into consideration the particular characteristics and needs of this island region.”

The Chamber said it therefore believes that this is initiative should “pave the way for further consultation with all the stakeholders on such an important aspect as planning, where clear rules and guidelines are required, underlined by a sustainable vision for the island.”

“This initiative is the first building block towards a holistic planning perspective for the island which takes into considerations its needs, preserves the environment, and creates an equitable situation for all,” the Chamber said.

It concluded by saying that “while this is a very delicate balance the Chamber believes that through collaboration between all the stakeholders involved this can be achieved.”

File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

Permalink: GBC welcomes new build design policy announced for Gozo