The Mepa board today approved a Planning Control application in an alley in Triq Ta’ Duru in Nadur, Gozo.

Part of the alley is already built. The north side of the alley consists mostly of existing buildings while to the south the alley is flanked by undeveloped land which is mostly used for agriculture related activities. The innermost part of the alley is occupied by low buildings that overlook Ramla Valley.

The PC application was submitted by the Mepa Directorate itself as the idea was to establish the building alignment for the unbuilt part of the alley through, among other things, widening the alley to 6m.

The area in question is within the scheme even though parts overlook ODZ land.

A first public consultation had already been held which was when the authority came to know that there was a cave underneath the inward part of the site. The cave is used for animals.

A second public hearing was thus held but no reaction was forthcoming from the public.

Concern then arose that the stability of the cave could be imperiled by cars being allowed at the end of the extended alley. So a condition was attached that the innermost part of the alley has to be a pedestrian precinct.

Mepa chairman Vince Cassar asked how could any Mepa body be expected to establish the stability or otherwise of the cave but the Directorate officer replied that only Transport Malta can do that since if the cave collapsed, the overlying road would collapse too.

Agreement was thus reached that works on the site need a clearance from a professional person before commencing.

The application was unanimously approved.