The Mepa board today approved an application to build a four-star hotel in Marsalforn, Gozo. This is the first new hotel to be permitted in Marsalforn in 40 years.

The hotel, provisionally, has two names - Bella Vista and Pristina Properties - and will be sited on the Rabat Road, just before the traffic junction which leads to the parking area.

It will be an 87-room hotel with three underground parking levels.

Architect Victor Bigeni (it would seem this is an all-in-the-family affair since the Bigeni family feature as the owners) explained that the chosen site is better than the other hostels and guesthouses in Marsalforn which are buried in a maze of streets.

Originally, the plan was for the construction of 33 apartments on the site but the owners decided Marsalforn needs an upgrade in quality.

The hotel will have an iconic air about it (later praised specifically by the Mepa chairman) and design has come up with a modernistic design which includes individualized balconies.

An objection that the area is reserved for entertainment and not for hotels was discarded by the Directorate.

The small junction in front will have to be tweaked to accommodate the hotel's needs.

Where the application almost came to grief was regards the pool at the back of the site. The site lies spread between a development area and an ODZ area at the back and there the applicants wanted to put in a landscaped garden and a pool.

There is also a pool on the roof.

The Directorate examined the issue and came up with all sorts of arguments why this issue could be accepted. But later, when the discussion was opened to the board members, Prof. Victor Axiaq strongly objected and denounced the way the Mepa rules had been twisted to accommodate the application.

In reply, the applicants said the hotel wants to attract tourists in the shoulder months when maybe there would be wind and they could not sunbathe on the roof, maybe they could stay around this pool in the back garden.

And anyway, the pool being just 28 sq m, it is far too small to be used by the guests all at once.

It was also pointed out this area is a neglected area but this argument was roundly rejected by Prof. Axiaq.

On the other hand, Dr Ian Stafrace, representing the developer, argued that an area can still be ODZ without it being turned into a field. It can be turned into a garden where guests can sample the Gozitan lifestyle.

Board member Alex Vella also agreed with Prof Axiaq and condemned what he termed as relaxation of policies.

Prof. Axiaq added that EPD had objected to the pool throughout the process but this was not taken into consideration by the Directorate. EPD had been ignored, even before the demerger, he complained.

Mepa chairman Vince Cassar suggested a €10,000 planning gain and the application was approved, with Prof. Axiaq and Mr Vella voting against.