Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542822
JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt 2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 JANUARY 2026 NEWS Controversy re-awakened: redevelopment of Qala Despite being presented as a limited restoration, the Environment f ledged dwelling in ODZ, raising concerns over incremental development AFTER years of controversy over attempts to convert a rural struc- ture in Qala into a residence, a planning case officer is recom- mending approval for its 'restora- tion'. However, the recommendation comes with a condition—the re- habilitated structure should only be used as an agricultural store. The dilapidated building is a pre- 1967 rural structure at Triq ta' Ga- fan. The application, filed by Mark Agius and architect Alex Bigeni, seeks permission for the partial reconstruction and restoration of an existing rural structure, togeth- er with the planting of trees on surrounding land. The site lies in an environmentally sensitive area designated as an Area of Ecolog- ical Importance and an Area of High Landscape Sensitivity. According to plans submitted with the application, the propos- al includes two separate additions to the structure, over a footprint of 20sq.m. The existing struc- ture which is being restored has a footprint of 40sq.m. The proposal includes the roofing of both floor levels. In his report, the case officer acknowledges that the proposal follows earlier attempts to convert the same structure into an ODZ dwelling. Those attempts proved highly controversial back in 2019 when a permit was issued to re- develop the ruin into a villa with a swimming pool. The case sparked a national outcry, opposition from environmental NGOs and the Qa- la local council, and an appeal by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), ultimately lead- ing to the withdrawal and dismiss- al of the permit. Against this backdrop, the case officer notes that although the current application refers to the building as a "rural structure" and does not introduce an explicit res- idential use, concerns remain. ERA, which objected to the pro- posal from an environmental per- spective, warned that approving the application could pave the way for a "fully-fledged dwelling" outside the development zone through future extensions and an- cillary developments. ERA also described the pro- posed extensions at ground and first floor, the introduction of a passageway, the creation of a new The remnants of an old rural structure situated in pristine surroundings, which a case officer A planning permit issued in 2019 for the conversion of the structure into a residence with and eventually the permit was appealed and withdrawn Chamber wants permanent link discussion reignited The Gozo Business Chamber has called for the discussion on a permanent link between the islands to be reconsidered af- ter Storm Harry isolated Gozo. The organisation said the ad- verse weather conditions last week left Gozo completely cut off from the rest of the coun- try, causing economic and so- cial disruption. In a statement on Saturday, the chamber acknowledged the work of Gozo Channel workers and other public ser- vice officers, who ensured the provision of emergency servic- es despite the challenging con- ditions. "The adverse weather conditions have shown Gozo's dependency on one mode of transport which has seen Gozo cut out completely from the rest of the world. People were stranded, and flights and ap- pointments were missed be- cause our sole mode of trans- port between the two islands could not operate," the cham- ber said. The organisation, which had been the main promoter of the permanent link project, noted that the Gozo Regional De- velopment Strategy issued in 2023 had highlighted the need to re-examine this project. Government had explored the possibility of linking the islands with a subsea tunnel with entry points just below Nadur in Gozo and Manika- ta in Malta. Geological stud- ies had also been conducted but the project was eventually shelved and deemed not to be a priority. Gozo's only link to Malta is by ferry with the Gozo Chan- nel operating ships that can carry vehicles between the ports of Ċirkewwa and Mġarr and a distinct fast ferry ser- vice for passengers only oper- ating from Grand Harbour to Mġarr. Storm Harry wreaked havoc across the islands last Tuesday, causing flight diversions and extensive damage in coastal localities. The ferry servic- es were halted and primary schools in St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa were closed for the day because a lot of staff mem- bers are from Gozo and could not make the crossing. The chamber said it was part a government task force un- veiled this week to focus on the accessibility of Mġarr Harbour and Gozo's accessibility in general but while calling it an important milestone it insisted that the project to expand the port should not exclude other options. "The permanent link project would complement the port's expansion, strengthening the island's resilience," it said, call- ing for a serious and transpar- ent discussion on the matter. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Gozo Business Chamber says Storm Harry exposed Gozo's vulnerability and dependency on a single transport mode to connect it to Malta