A Coalition for Gozo, composed of the envrionmental NGOs Din l-Art Ħelwa, Wirt Għawdex, and Għawdix, has deplored the approval by the Planning Commission for an application (PA/07408/23) in Ta' Sruġ, Xagħra (Gozo), which they said will see a massive, six-unit ridge-edge development overlooking Il-Wied ta' Marsalforn.
"Strong objections were raised on several points, among them that this development breaches Policy P33 of the Development Control Design Policy, Guidance and Standards (DC2015). In a conspicuously apathetic report that did not address (much less engage with) any of the objections in question, Policy P33 was mysteriously skipped altogether by the case officer in the 'policy context' section," the NGOs said.
"P33 states that such a number of units forming part of an internal residential development is not allowed, with all new proposed residential units being required to have direct frontage onto a public road. However, there is not a single unit within the proposed development that fronts a public road, the only access to the site being through a narrow alley in a small street."
"Strong objections were also voiced during a 4th of June meeting of the Planning Commission deciding on the application located in an Urban Conservation Area, but the complaints did not faze Commission chairperson Martin Camilleri, who contended that although the proposed units do not front a public road, they front a valley." The NGOs said that they strongly rebutted this, saying that Policy P33 is clear in stating that such development is required to front a public road, making no mention whatsoever of valleys. Nevertheless, all three members of the Planning Commission voted in favour of the development, the NGOs said.
The Coalition notes that it is shameful that NGOs have to continue assuming the role of authority officials, "whose job it is to properly scrutinise development applications but instead seem intent on bypassing policies and proper screening."
"The Coalition is also gravely concerned on account of the fact that the zone has long been known to have hosted caves, and in the past, archaelogical findings were also made in the area of Ta' Sruġ. The first discovery was by Rev. Francesco Mercieca, dating back to December, 1938, with details of the findings being detailed in a Museum Annual Report from that time."
In its submitted representation, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage "simply remarked that the proposed development is 'a relatively moderate proposal not exceeding commitments" and that it "does not challenge the lie of the land along the ridge', and therefore did not object. It noted that the applicant was to inform of any accidental discoveries, but, astonishingly, did not impose any archaeological monitoring despite the context of the site in question," the NGOs said.
"The Environment and Resources Authority was likewise nonchalant about the application, and did not object to the felling of trees, simply requesting that they be transplanted to a site in Qala, where they are to be maintained for three years."
Din l-Art Ħelwa, supported by Wirt Għawdex, and represented by Perit Tara Cassar, has lodged an appeal. "Meanwhile, the Coalition calls for the Government to put its money where its mouth is, and demonstrate that it truly cares to see proper scrutiny and diligence in regard to the country's heritage."