Ta’ Passi area, better known as Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem, has been recognised as an outdoor recreational area for cultural and community use

Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri announced this major partial review of the Ta’ Passi, Ghajnsielem area,

He said that ”this partial review follows an open, transparent and structured consultation process and is a clear reflection of the Government’s commitment to planning in a responsible, sensitive and evidence-based manner, while remaining connected to the realities in which our communities live.”

He explained that this zoneis an area of 18 acres of farmland, in which Bethlehem nativity village is located in Ghajnsielem, ”we had an issue for 18 whole years that due to the local plans as there were legal difficulties.”

He added that, ”today these have been regulated through this review and not only that, now Bethlehem will be better placed and in a more comfortable way but more than that, we have opened the opportunity for it to now turn into a recreational area where a number of other activities can take place, ultimately being open to the public and all families.”

He mentioned how the same was done in Xewkija where ”a cluster of houses built in the past, were in an anomalous position because they were left out in the Local Plan review in 2006, there too justice was done to this cluster of families who had and were suffering injustice.”

Minister Camilleri stated that “this is an important step so that ultimately we have done justice to two places.;;

This review does not introduce speculative development, but addresses two specific and long-standing situations in Ghajnsielem and Xewkija, while providing clarity where there has been uncertainty for many years, he said.

It is also accompanied by clear and strict safeguards, including:

• At least 65% of the site must remain open space;

• Permitted structures are limited to small-scale ancillary facilities that directly support recreational use;

• Defined controls on footprint, height, materials and location, leaving no room for overdevelopment;

• Commercial activity, where permitted, must be minimal, ancillary, and directly linked to the recreational function of the site.

Silvio Farrugia Director within the Planning Authority explained that, “we are here today after an open and structured consultation process, and this is a clear reflection of our responsibility to plan in a sensitive, evidence-based, and connected to the reality in which our communities live.”

He went on to say that, ”ultimately, this partial review is about providing certainty: for residents, for community initiatives, and for the public at large. It shows how planning can be reactive without being permissive, and protective without being detached from community life.”

It was explained that ”environmental protection is central to this review, with specific provisions on the use of traditional materials, limits on excavation and controls on lighting, in order to minimise impacts on the rural landscape and the surrounding valley.”

Minister Clint Camilleri concluded by saying that this partial review is a ”balance between social and cultural needs and environmental protection and sound planning principles.”

Photo: DOI

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