Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1368118
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 MAY 2021 NEWS ANALYSIS JAMES DEBONO MALTA'S Heritage Authority is making it clear that no tourism development should be allowed on the site of an abandoned explosives factory located in an otherwise pristine and pro- tected location in Dingli which forms part of the EU's network of protected sites. Although the SCH has no le- gal veto on projects approved by the Planning Authority, giving the go-ahead to such a project against the wishes of Malta's foremost heritage au- thority would further under- mine the Planning Authority's legitimacy. The application presented by Sun Route Hotel is proposing the demolition of the disused explosive factory, and the con- struction of 14 units spread over 10 one-floor blocks, each with its own outdoor pool and deck. The application has been tem- porarily suspended after more than 500 objections were pre- sented. Developers regularly re- quest such suspensions before revising their plans. Industry sources have ex- pressed doubts on the long- term sustainability of a 14-unit complex warning that the appli- cation simply seeks to establish a tourism related commitment on the site, thus paving the way for piecemeal development. While noting that the site in question has been designated for use as an explosive factory so as to not pose potential haz- ard, the Superintendence in- sists that any works on this site should not commit it "for de- velopment of a non-agricultural nature". Moreover, the Superintend- ence also expressed concern at the intensification of develop- ment as proposed, which would inevitably result in the formal- isation of this significant rural and cultural landscape Outside Development Zone. "The Superintendence finds that such works are unaccept- able in principle and strongly objects to this development ap- plication as proposed" the agen- cy said. It also called for the "re- habilitation" of the landscape. ERA drops objections Unlike the SCH – which has remained consistent in its ob- jection to any kind of tourism development on the site – the Environment and Resources Au- thority has dropped its original objections to the proposed tour- ist complex on the site of a for- mer explosives factory in Dingli. Although considerably down- scaled from previous plans sub- mitted by another applicant, the project still does not address the ERA's original concern about committing the disused factory to tourism-related de- velopment. In a screening report on the current proposal, now proposed by Sun Route Hotels, ERA said it favourably considers the 14-unit tourist complex as long as its impact can be mitigated. Sun Route currently operates Hotel Santana in Qawra, and is owned by the heirs of Albert Sant of JB Stores. ERA had warned in Septem- ber 2017 that "experience has shown that commitments for development such as this pro- posal are almost irreversible once they are allowed to be- come established". For this rea- son, ERA had insisted that such developments should only take place in designated prime tour- ism sites which are already lo- cated close to the strategic road network. Reacting to plans by anoth- er applicant in 2017, ERA had warned that in the future it would be difficult to contain the development within the committed area as the project would create a demand for an- cillary development to support intensified use, such as "utility services and drainage systems, and longer-term development pressures to extend the estab- lished development." The infrastructure of the area was recently 'upgraded' through works being carried out by In- frastructure Malta in January, which included the installation of a potable water pipeline lead- ing to the disused explosives factory. Superintendence shoots down proposed Dingli cliffs hotel The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage is firmly objecting to plans to transform an abandoned explosives factory in Dingli cliffs into a hotel • The Environment and Resources Authority, on the other hand, has dropped its original objections The application presented by Sun Route Hotel is proposing the demolition of the disused explosive factory, and the construction of 14 units spread over 10 one-floor blocks, each with its own outdoor pool and deck