Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1466079
7 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 APRIL 2022 JAMES DEBONO SIX years after issuing a permit for a controversial, heart-shaped extension to the Ramla Bay Ho- tel, the Planning Authority is set to approve another application to replace the adjacent four-floor hotel originally designed by Rich- ard England, with three, large seven-storey blocks. A case officer report endorsed by the PA's development direc- torate is commending the de- sign of the Ramla extension of, which will drastically change the iconic views of Marfa as seen from the Gozo Ferry. The Planning Board will take a final decision on May 5. As proposed by architect Ray Demicoli, who also designed the first phase approved in 2016, the new development will com- prise 400 guest rooms, a ban- queting area, restaurants and new kitchen facilities, gym and indoor swimming pool, car park facilities, and new landscaping. The new development will com- plement the 100 apartments ap- proved in 2019. The report advises the Plan- ning Board to approve the second phase, describing the design as an "innovative" one, which will contribute "to a new lively and livable high-quality accommodation standard." According to the report, "the landmark building will merge within its context due to the or- ganic shapes extruded from the morphology of the promonto- ry." But these conclusions contrast with the verdict of the Superin- tendence for Cultural Heritage in February, following the pub- lication of the first photomon- tages of the project. The changes, which include the removal of a restaurant block near the coast, fall short of the more radical changes requested by the SCH which called for a lessening of the pro- posed heights and a considera- ble redesign and terracing of the development. The SCH had warned that views of Marfa as seen from Comino and from seacraft in the Gozo Channel will forever "be conditioned and marred by the enormous volume extend- ing above the existing skyline." Malta's cultural heritage watchdog warned that this de- velopment will "subvert the current and longstanding per- ception of Malta as seen from the 'il-Fliegu' crossing". The Superintendence high- lighted the cultural heritage significance of this visual expe- rience that is "being eradicated" noting that the perception and legibility of this ridge is a long- standing experience contribut- ing to the perception and iden- tity of Malta. The Superintendence consid- ered the visual impact "to be negative, lessening the scenic and landscape value of this tract of coastline, and further prej- udicing the cultural landscape within this area". The PA's Development Man- agement Directorate replied by saying that the issues raised by the Superintendence of Cultur- al Heritage in terms of visual as- pect fall within the remit of the Planning Authority. But a visual impact assessment on the latest plans and photo- montages conducted by ADI consultants still deems the im- pact on views from the Gozo ferry to be of "major signifi- cance." According to the report, compared to the present situ- ation from the viewpoint, "the scheme appears bulkier and, although it remains within the site footprint, the perception is of a larger structure that has spatially extended." Bulky Ramla hotel extension will radically change Marfa views PA set to approve three-block, seven- storey Ramla Bay extension as case officer waxes lyrical about 'organic shapes extruded from promontory' View of hotel before new development approved in 2016 Existing view of hotel from Gozo ferry View of proposed development from Gozo ferry Existing view of hotel from Marfa View of proposed development from Marfa