Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530669
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 DECEMBER 2024 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Grotta disco in Xlendi, Gozo regularised after 30-year saga INTERNATIONAL House Malta, an English language learning school for adults, has announced its partnership with the FIDEM Foundation for this Christmas. For this initiative, International House hosted a jobs and skills work- shop on 12 December 2024, aimed at supporting women being con- fident and prepared to seizing the next opportunity that comes along. Through this collaboration, In- ternational House Malta's teachers volunteered their time and expertise to guide participants in developing practical skills for job interviews. The workshop, organised in part- nership with the FIDEM Founda- tion, focused on enhancing employ- ability through CV and cover letter writing and interview preparation. International House Malta strongly believes in the power of education in transforming lives, and by partner- ing with FIDEM Foundation, it was able to use its resources and exper- tise to empower women and make a positive impact in the community. This workshop was an opportunity to equip participants with the tools and confidence they need to pursue meaningful employment. International House Malta and FI- DEM Foundation believe this is not charity but a right that all women deserve. Empowering women through job-readiness workshop THE Planning Authority has regularised illegal additions to the Grotta nightclub, which was built along the road linking Vic- toria to Xlendi. The disco is perched on the idyllic Lunzjata Valley, which is protected and considered an ar- ea of high landscape value. The club is owned by businessman George Said who is also a mem- ber of the Gozo Channel's Board of Directors. The application, originally presented in 2017, aims to reg- ularise changes in the property footprint, vertical and lateral extensions, and internal and external alterations, including development carried out in a cave where a bar and dance floor with ancillary facilities are located. The only planning permit for the entertainment complex was issued in 1995, even though the nightclub already had an operat- ing licence. The permit foresaw the replacement of a deteriorat- ed wooden gazebo on top of an existing dance floor with a larg- er gazebo, over a bigger dance floor, and the creation of anoth- er covered dance floor to cater for both the winter and summer seasons. The night club is located at the cliff edge, at the side of Wied ix-Xlendi, where the valley itself has a very rich ecosystem char- acterised by diverse habitats that host a wide range of species. Throughout its history, the site has been the subject of a number of planning enforcements, with the first notice issued in 1994 against the change of use of land into a parking area. In 1998, a planning enforce- ment was issued against the erection of structures in the cave, followed by another in 1999 against the illegal expansion of the nightclub. This enforcement notice listed all the illegalities at La Grotta which included "structures on different levels, including a pizzeria, stores, bars, toilets, terraces and stairs, and accommodation rooms found at the entrance down to the valley, along the entire complex of La Grotta." According to the case office re- port the present application has been subject to an environmen- tal assessment by the Environ- ment and Resources Authority (ERA) ERA initially expressed con- cern over the various environ- mental impacts of the develop- ment, including the change in the natural site characteristics, intensification of built develop- ment, the formalisation of the valley side, land take-up, and increased light and noise pollu- tion. "All these interventions were carried out without due re- spect to the site's context and sensitivity, and irrespective of environmental impacts," the environmental watchdog had concluded. However, ERA eventually changed its stance, agreeing to the sanctioning while imposing a number of conditions. The Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage also gave its go- ahead for the regularisation of illegalities despite expressing "its general concern regarding unau- thorised interventions on signif- icant vernacular features" which included rock cut features asso- ciated with animal husbandry that are found in the cave area. This includes the restoration of an area illegally used as a car park, which is to be reinstated to its original agricultural use. The Planning Directorate is recom- mending that a bank guarantee of €29,300 be imposed to ensure that this obligation is carried out. Furthermore, a planning gain of €59,150 towards the PA's Planning Fund is being recom- mended. The funds raised from the planning gain shall be used to fund environmental improve- ment projects in the locality of the site. The planning gain is non-refundable, and the funds shall be utilised as required and directed by the Planning Au- thority. The case officer also recom- mended approval, after taking into consideration that the site is covered by a valid operational li- cence and a planning permit for commercial use. Moreover, approval does not involve the take-up of additional land beyond the original com- mitted boundary of the devel- opment. The case officer added that vertical extensions to be sanctioned "can be considered acceptable within the existing context, and are mostly screened from the public road". PA imposes €59,150 planning gain in return for sanctioning illegalities in the protected area • Illegal car park to be reinstated back to agricultural use