Mepa clears demolition of hotel in Victoria

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday unanimously approved an outline permit for the demolition of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, in Victoria and the construction there of shops, a hotel, apartments, catering facilities and an underlying parking.

Although the permit was approved, it will only be given against a number of conditions after line drawings demonstrating the height profile of the building mass are submitted.

The only hotel in Gozo for many years, the Duke of Edinburgh was used by many Maltese couples for their honeymoon. Its façade dates back to the mid-19th century.

It is located just adjacent to Villa Rundle Garden having access from Republic Street as well as from the existing public car park lot behind the hotel.

The proposed building is spread on four floors as well as structures at roof level, above the higher street level.

An application for the development of a health centre was submitted in 1994 and refused in 1997. The application had proposed the complete demolition of the existing building and included the development of a football ground at the back of the property. It was refused in 1997 in view of non-compliance with height limitation in the area.

The same developers, AX Holdings, had submitted the application approved yesterday in 1999.