The Planning Commission has approved an application by Gozitan Developer Joseph Portelli in Sannat, to add 73 apartments to a block of 125 apartments, Moviment Graffitti said.
The proposed development is earmarked to take place around 300 meters from the edge of the cliffs and many questions were raised by environmental NGOs on the ecological impact the development would have on nearby ecosystems.
Graffitti said that the application came after a long list of irregularities by the PA, that did every flip to give Portelli and his friends what they want. "This project will damage the character of Sannat and threatens the cliffs and surrounding area. It was divided in three separate applications to evade the studies needed for big projects. This is completely illegal, yet the Planning Authority kept moving forward with processing the application as though nothing was wrong."
The Head of the Planning Commission Stephania Baldacchino, said she was not going to consider the other application with this project, Graffitti wrote on Facebook.
The NGO said that the application was recommended for refusal by the case officer due to breach of planning policies. The Commission, however, saw what it could do to approve it. "That is why it asked for direction from the Executive Council led by Martin Saliba, an entity that is not meant to have any role in the processing of applications."
Astrid Vella
Astrid Vella, from Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) said that through this application, "The Planning Authority has just ensured the 'Bugiffication' of Gozo. Objectors, including myself, repeatedly raised the point that this violates all design guidelines and policies on volumes and massing, being so jarring with Gozitan village landscapes."
"It also violates the Gozo/Comino Ridge Policy of max 3 floors, but that was side-stepped as were issues re traffic, noise, air and light pollution for Sannat residents and endangered birds nearby. One objector testified about how he was approached to buy one of the flats last year, and told that half were already sold, so sure were the developers that the permit was assured. Yet the Chairman Stefania Baldacchino refused to acknowledge that the PA is responsible to look into such things."
"As one objector said, the PA didn't even bother to pretend, with the Chairman giving most of the replies for the developer, and Joseph Portelli's architect Saviour Micallef, not even bothering to argue his case, so sure was he of the outcome. Before his election Robert Abela had repeatedly promised 'design would become a priority at the PA'. Now he's saying it again. Does he really think anyone believes it?"