Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/670480
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 APRIL 2016 8 JAMES DEBONO ARCHITECT Ray Demicoli has justified a planned heart-shaped extension of the Ramla Bay Hotel by referring to the "importance of iconic architecture to provide a permanent attractive landmark at Malta's northern tip". The planning application will increase the massing of the ex- isting hotel by replacing 45 apartments with 100 apartments through heart-shaped seven- storey high structures, three res- taurants, a nightclub and a bar. The proposal will result in an in- crease of 240 beds in the resort. The Planning Authority's planning directorate is recom- mending approval to the major extension of the hotel, despite concerns on the visual impact of the development, especially when viewed from the Comino ferry and the rocky foreshore along Triq il-Marfa. The development, which had been exempted from a full Envi- ronment Impact Assessment, is restricted to the grounds of the existing hotel but the project's impact on the landscape was as- sessed for its visual impact. The assessment recognised that the project will have a major visual impact, but the architect insisted that the curves of the project integrate well with the "natural context of sea and rocky shore". Demicoli also argued that the new design would be preferable to raising the height of the exist- ing two-storey apartment blocks. Conservationists Din l-Art Helwa had objected to the design of the hotel extension, insisting that while the existing low-lying apartments create a gentle gra- dient between the hotel and the coastline, the extension would be imposing itself on the coast- line as seen from the Gozo ferry. A screening report prepared by the PA's Environment Pro- tection Directorate last year had noted that the project will increase the overall massing of the existing hotel. Referring to the photomontages presented by Demicoli, the EPD said the new hotel would result in "significant effects of the proposed project on the larger cultural and natu- ral landscape and visual setting of the area". Due to the proximity to areas of ecological importance the project was also submitted to an "ecological assess- ment" which concluded that it has no major im- pacts if adequate meas- ures are taken to avoid dust and debris affect- ing the marine environ- ment, which includes Posidonia meadows. The assessment also included recommenda- tions on lighting to pro- tect the nearby seabird colonies. The original proposal was also revised to re- strict all development on the already dis- turbed hotel area and do away with any development on pristine shoreline. The project does not involve the take up of any virgin ODZ land but increases the massing of the existing development. MEPA had already approved a 102-room extension in 2009. News ODZ swimming to get fast-tracking JAMES DEBONO NEW swimming pools can be approved through a new, fast-tracked permitting system dubbed the 'summary proce- dure' that will see permits ap- proved in six weeks, instead of the current 12. The applications will not have to go through the scrutiny of the Environment and Resources Authority, and instead will be approved directly by the chair- person of the Environment Planning Commission without a public hearing. Additionally, the period where the general public can object to such applications has been shortened from three to two weeks. Draft rules are proposing that swimming pools within the car- tilage of an existing building can be approved through the new procedure, except those located in scheduled properties, urban conservation areas and archaeo- logical buffer zones. Swimming pools located out- side development zones are not Ramla Bay architect says Marfa needs 'iconic landmark' Architect Ray Demicoli (second from left) at a meeting with the Prime Minister (left)