Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1037099
9 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 OCTOBER 2018 JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority's planning commission has in- dicated that a 58-room hotel extending outside develop- ment zones and overlooking the valley between Marsal- forn and Xaghra, may still be approved if developers revise their plans further to inte- grate an old farmhouse previ- ously earmarked for demoli- tion. The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage had previ- ously drawn attention to the presence of caves along the overhanging rock falling im- mediately outside the site footprint proposed for devel- opment, as well as beneath the site footprint. The case officer's report did not centre around the ODZ location of the hotel but fo- cused on the demolition of the farmhouse, and referred to the potential risk posed to the caves. This week the planning commission ordered the de- velopers to present a restora- tion plan for the old building. Although the hotel will be partly located in a rural ham- let, its footprint will extend in to the neighbouring country- side. The site presently consists of an abandoned agricultural farmhouse with a 220sq.m footprint, and adjoining agri- cultural fields. Hotels are not mentioned among the types of develop- ment allowed in rural hamlets in the Gozo local plan. The only tourist develop- ment envisaged in these areas are hostels. The development will also include two ODZ swimming pools outside the boundaries of the hamlet and an adjacent three-storey terraced house. Both the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and the PA's planning directorate had objected to the demolition of the vernacular which will now be retained. The proposed hotel will rise to four storeys and will be one metre higher than the 11.4m limit in the local plan. Despite ERA's objections to the urban sprawl in the vicin- ity of the Marsalforn valley, the Planning Directorate con- cluded that "the built volume, massing and height are ac- ceptable", after some changes to the original design by the project's architect. The hotel and an adjacent three-storey terraced house will be built over a footprint of 1,812sq.m of which 720sq.m will be built up. The development originally described as a "3-star agro- tourism boutique hotel" is being proposed by develop- er Alfred Refalo and will be managed by Frankie Spiteri who also manages the Quaint Hotel chain in Gozo. Project architect Stephan Vancell is an employee of EMDP, a company owned by planning commission board member Mariello Spiteri. Spiteri did not participate in the meeting in which the ap- plication was discussed. Approved and issued by HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. 116 Archbishop Street, Valletta VLT 1444 which is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Licensed to conduct investment services business by the Malta Financial Services Authority. www.hsbc.com.mt/fusion (Ref No.100756 – 3/18) Together we thrive HSBC Fusion is now available for Corporates and Partnerships. This is HSBC Fusion. The combined service for your business and personal life. Find out more at hsbc.com.mt/fusion HSBC Fusion is now available for Corporates and Partnerships. This is HSBC Fusion. The combined service for your business and personal life. Find out more at hsbc.com.mt/fusion The HSBC Fusion family is growing. ODZ hotel may be approved if old Xaghra farm house is retained A 58-room hotel extending outside development zones and overlooking the valley between Marsalforn and Xaghra may still be approved if developers revise their plans further to integrate an old farmhouse previously earmarked for demolition