The MEPA Board earlier today approved the planning permission for the derelict Hal Ferh Complex, located in the vicinity of the popular sandy beach of Golden Bay, to be redeveloped into an upmarket, low-lying tourist resort.

MEPA said that sensitive to the surrounding landscape, the project, which will comprise of 228 one storey units, 12 two storey private pavilions and ancillary facilities, will be contained within a dynamic flowing “ribbon building.”The building will accommodate a reception area, a restaurant and suites. 293 car parking spaces will be provided for in an underground car park. The entire complex will be surrounded by an open, external garden with an area of 12,000m2. The chapel within the existing Hal Ferh complex will not only be retained but restored and incorporated in the project, as will a small watercourse which many years back used to traverse the complex.

“The project will also include a new surface car park to accommodate 330 cars, outside the the Hal Ferh site, on land that is currently leased out to the Scouts Association,” MEPA continued. “The road on the east side of the complex, leading up to Manikata, will be widened to improve the road network in the area. The widening of the road will not take up any agricultural land but will take place on land from the existing Hal Ferh complex.”

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, the MEPA Board imposed a Planning Gain of €20,000 for the restoration of the Ghajn Tuffieha Military barracks better known as the Upper Camp, which are located further up from the Scouts Camping site.

A bank guarantee of €230,000 was also requested to ensure that all works carried out within this sensitive rural area will be safeguarded.

MEPA said in its statement that the approved project meets the planning guidelines that had been set out and approved by Government in the Hal Ferh Development Brief in December 2008.

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