Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/838705
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 2017 7 News MIRIAM DALLI THE planning board may de- cide to withdraw a development permit granted for the devel- opment of a terraced house in Kercem, after it emerged that the development threatens the existence of the only Roman catacombs to be found in Gozo. The concern was first raised by NGO Wirt Ghawdex, which flagged the serious threat the development posed to the cata- combs. It accused the Planning Authority (PA) and the Super- intendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) of "turning a blind eye" and condoning the destruction. The PA had said that, during the processing of the applica- tion, both the SCH and the former environment protection directorate had been consulted and no objections were raised. But today, the Planning Au- thority said its board will be discussing to decide whether the development permit should be withdrawn. The development permit was issued in January, allowing the construction of a two-storey terraced house. During the application process, the plan- ning directorate considered the site as a Class B archaeological zone. Government records, it said, showed however that the site and surrounding area had been considered as Class A protected sites since the year 2000. "The same discrepancy was noted on the authority's elec- tronic system which is used by the planning directorate when planning applications are be- ing evaluated," the PA said in a statement. The PA stated that the dis- crepancy was noted after chair- man Johan Buttigieg requested clarifications on the permit. The PA confirmed that, as a result of this discrepancy, grounds existed for the with- drawal of the permit. The authority will also launch an internal investigation to de- termine how, and why, the dis- crepancy existed in the system. An audit will also be carried out to verify that the informa- tion published on its online sys- tem is correct. Motorcyclist, pedestrian injured in two separate accidents Two persons have been hospitalised after two separate accidents that took place on Friday evening and yesterday morning. In the first case, a 25-year-old motorcy- clist was involved in a collision with a Mit- subishi Pajero, whilst in the second case, an elderly woman was hit by a car. On Friday evening, at around 6pm, the man from Mosta was riding his Kymco in Triq Psaila, Santa Venera, when the colli- sion occurred. The Pajero was being driven by a Gzira resident, aged 43. In the second case, a 64-year-old woman was hit by a car which was being driven by an 80-year-old man who resides in Pieta. The accident happened in Triq Manuel Dimech, Qormi, at around 8.30am. In both cases, the injured persons were found to have suffered grievous injuries. The police are investigating. Planning board reconsidering Ghar Gherduf development, internal investigation launched The development at Ghar Gherduf threatens nearby Roman catacombs