Work on an updated design of a Master Plan for St. George’s Square, Victoria, Gozo, is “actively underway,” said Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici, adding that this updated design of the proposal “will be presented in the near future.”

The Minister was replying to a Parliamentary Question tabled by the Shadow Spokesperson for Gozo Chris Said, as to the status of the Master Plan, including when it was due to be completed, as well as the costs involved so far.

The Minister said that the updated design included consultations with of stakeholders who had “submitted various suggestions.”

Bonnici said that the payments made so far were linked to the architect’s services related to the project and for the payment of the Planning Authority application.

The initial Master Plan for St George’s Square which was was published last February on the Planning Authority website, was met with strong responses from St George’s Parish, the PN and NGOs.

The Master Plan, PA/00284/25 – is described as “A Master Plan defining the extent and design guidelines for outdoor catering areas at Pjazza San Gorg, Rabat (Gozo).”Writing on social media when the plan was published the parish argued that, “no one was consulted on this ‘masterplan’ and the result is clear – instead of solving existing problems, it will be creating more problems!”

It insisted that “this is a master plan that proposes the impossible, if not also goes against Transport Malta’s own policies.”

The PN also came out against the proposed plan saying that for a long time, the Government ignored the concerns of the Gozitans regarding the situation with tables and chairs and the accessibility issues in St George’s Square in Victoria, Gozo. “Now, it has proposed a Master Plan for the square, yet once again, it has failed to listen to the worries of the residents, putting forward the plan without first consulting the local community.”

The PN argued that “not only that, but this Master Plan will not resolve existing problems. Instead, it will exacerbate them.”

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar said in its statement that St George’s Square Master Plan, “legalises the abusive food establishment encroachments that have choked the square.”

FAA, said it supported Victoria residents “betrayed by the commercial takeover of community spaces in Maltese towns and villages. Despite knowing that businesses are abusively encroaching public spaces in violation of regulations and public rights, authorities are now allowing businesses to apply for official permits, condoning their illegal actions.”

Just last month, Luke Said, the Nationalist Party candidate for Gozo, pointed out that metal plates had been installed in the square to outline the boundaries of the proposed St George’s Square Master Plan – however “it is evident that these are also being ignored.”

Top photo: Luke Said – St George’s Square in September and; The initial St George’s Square Master Plan

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