Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1475578
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 AUGUST 2022 12 COMMERCIAL Phase 2 of Ramla Hotel redevelopment project given green light THE newly appointed Planning Board granted development per- mission for the second phase of the Ramla Hotel redevelopment project in Marfa. For this phase, the works will include the demolition of the old part of the hotel and the construc- tion of 396 new rooms, a gym, retail outlets, catering establish- ments, an indoor pool, multipur- pose halls and other ancillary fa- cilities which will be spread over three new buildings. Similar to the design used for Phase 1, the new Ramla Bay will move away from the traditional ho- tel plan with long corridors leading to a number of rooms distributed on both sides. A more organic de- sign is being adopted where the concept of 'porosity' will allow for the breaking up of the mass of vol- ume and bring spaces that are usu- ally underused and without natu- ral light, to life throughout the use of central and naturally lit atria. Greenery is a central element al- so within the atria incorporating soft landscape not only around the complex but also inside it. All three blocks will be interconnect- ed at the lowest levels and open-air bridges will also connect the build- ings. The Board agreed with the De- velopment Management Directo- rate's recommendation that for purposes of upgrading and increasing the number of beds, there is enough justification for a minimal increase in the build- ing footprint, given that this will be carried out within the existing committed boundary of the old hotel. In view of its location and size, the project was subject to an Ap- propriate Assessment (AA) and an EIA which were both assessed by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA). The AA Report concluded that, following a de- tailed evaluation of the anticipated impacts and their potential mitiga- tion, the proposal and associated works are not expected to adverse- ly affect the integrity of the Natura 2000 sites. Additionally, ERA had submitted that these impacts can be addressed with the thorough implementation of pre-emptive safeguards and construction and operational mit- igation measures. Infact, a number of conditions have been included in the permit to ensure these miti- gation measures are adhered to.