5 comments so far.MEPA board approves Ta’ Pinu retreat house project
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This morning the MEPA board approved a full development application for the construction of a retreat house, visitor’s centre and ancillary facilities, coach and car-parking areas and the re-planting of indigenous trees on Ghammar Hill.
The project also includes the work on resurfacing the parvis and turning the piazza into a pedestrian area, which will only enable vehicles to enter for maintenance and emergency. The existing rooms below the piazza will become the retreat house with a proposal for an extension to link both sides of the parvis, this will be below street level.
The extension will accommodate a total of 16 guestrooms on two floors, with a lift and stairway to access the adjacent existing south wing. This wing is spread on three levels, and accommodates a library, meeting rooms, a prayer area, sacristy and confessional. The existing south wing also includes a conference hall, dining hall and offices.
Existing buildings opposite the entrance to the Ta Pinu Shrine will be turned into the visitor centre. The police station, public conveniences, local council tourist/information area, storage area and souvenir shop will be contained within the new structure.
A car park, at the side of Triq Ta’ Pinu below Ghammar Hill, will also be developed and will accommodate 93 cars together with access for all facilities including a wheelchair storage space.
The proposals show that “the roof is to be covered with soil and vegetation of similar appearance to the surrounding field surfaces in order to merge with the surrounding landscape. The external walls will use recycled stone masonry. It is also proposed that the building height will be lower than the profile of the existing buildings.”
Given that everyone else is destroying the island for commercial reasons I guess the church have decided to get in on the act. Areas like this used to be special places for people to visit and relax now like everywhere else the concrete God is taking over so the church can make money.
This time I agree with you hundred per cent James. You ought to wear a habit to make money mate!
Thunder from Down Under!
Let history repeat itself…let’s go back on proposing buildings under Calypso Cave overlooking Ramla Blue.
I’m sure that the developer, like the Church, will say that it will blend better with the environment and people like Camilleri may perhaps agree this time.
After Mepa gave the permit for the New Nadur Cemetery.. im not shocked about this one…
Let s see if any of the projects will make Gozo more money or the Church !
Which project is that the church going to earn more money of it is it the Ta Pinu project or the Nadur cemetery ?.