The number of planning applications and permits being granted in Gozo is on the rise, a Din l-Art Helwa Gozo spokesperson told The Malta Independent, saying that the percentage, when compared to the whole of the Maltese islands, is higher than it was in the past.

The NGO believes that the focus is moving from development in Malta to development in Gozo, threatening to “destroy Gozo” in the same way it has damaged many villages and parts of  Malta, the spokesperson said.

“We certainly believe it is not sustainable in Gozo”, the spokesperson added.

Din l-Art Helwa Gozo is not against development, but would like to see development that is more in keeping with the island. The spokesperson remarked that the eNGO would like a new development plan for Gozo, one which is not a carbon copy of Malta. Until that happens, it recommends a 12-month suspension of ODZ applications and applications regarding Annex 2 of DC 2015 for Gozo.

Annex 2 permits the typical two to three-storey building to have up to six storeys, the NGO says. Din l-Art Ħelwa believes it to be the main reason for the many demolitions of terraced houses, which are being replaced by apartment blocks.

Apart from that, the NGO is also calling for an extension of the Urban Conservation Areas (UCA) in all villages in Gozo.

Speaking about the traditional style of Maltese house, the spokesperson said that at the moment, it is not being endorsed in current building plans.

The spokesperson highlighted a government initiative that grants buyers tax and stamp duty exemptions when purchasing a particular type of property. The spokesperson said that the overall reduction in stamp duty for Gozo directs more investment into properties available on the island in general.

“We believe that very often regulations are not being looked at carefully. We have brought to the attention of the press many examples of different developments. Recently we saw a farmhouse in Xewkija which was demolished despite being a traditional house; it should have been protected,” the spokesperson said.

Although the farmhouse was not scheduled, in the opinion of the eNGO, it should have been. Another example could be found in Xlendi, where the destruction of the last area with boathouses in the locality has made space for blocks of apartments, the spokesperson added.

“Generally speaking, we are seeing too many permits being approved that, in our opinion, should not have been granted and too many examples of vernacular buildings being allowed to be demolished and replaced by blocks of apartments,” the spokesperson said.

Another problem the spokesperson noted regards four-storey buildings that are being permitted in village streets, where the majority of houses are one or two storeys high. This leads to the destruction of the character and the context of the street in question.

The spokesperson remarked how such approval for development from the side of the Planning Authority leads, in turn, to more development given the pretext that once one affirmation is given, others should also be approved on the same lines.

“We believe that there is a place for development, but all buildings need to keep the village context in mind,” he said.