Sunday, 27th April 2008
Dwejra centre 'monstrosity' remains in limbo
One month on and no decision has been taken over the controversial structure in Dwejra. Photo: Max Xuereb.
The fate of the 'Dwejra interpretation centre' remains in limbo, it seems, a month after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority halted the construction of what was described as "a monstrosity" in the scenic seaside area.
The centre is part of a heritage management plan for the area approved in 2005. This paved the way for the controversial sanctioning of a number of illegal boathouses though it also proposes conservation measures for the entire area - a popular tourist attraction.
Mepa halted works on the centre - which it is also proposed will house a cafeteria - on March 25, saying in a one sentence statement that it would be investigating "possible deviations from the approved plans".
Yet, yesterday, the developer Godwin Cassar said he had still not been approached by authority and formally told what the problem was.
Talks have been taking place between the committee responsible for the management of the heritage plan and the developer.
Committee chairman Joe Tabone, who is also a Mepa board member, said: ""We have been holding discussions to see if a solution can be found." However, when asked whether the committee would press for the demolition of the structure, he said that the committee was not in a position to make such a request. "That would be Mepa's role".
The issue, in effect, does not centre around the aesthetics of the structure built so far, but on a technical point. In the approved plans, the developer was bound to produce a structure that could be dismantled and suggested the erection of a wooden building bolted to a metal structure.
The cost of the metal structure was deemed to be prohibitive and the frame was made out of concrete instead. However, the developer's architect Paul Gauci insisted that the rest remained the same.
"The finished product will still be the same as the one approved by Mepa and the concrete structure we developed can be dismantled in two days, again, as originally agreed with the authority," he said.
The current site - where an application for a restaurant had been refused three times previously - was eventually chosen after a call for expressions of interest by the San Lawrenz Council, aimed at anyone owning land in the area who was willing to host the new interpretation centre. The applicant was the only person to apply.
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I find it very hard to believe that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out in this case. Having said that we have to remember that EIA’s are bought and paid for by the developer, which is the main reason why this situation has to be changed.
Once again I would direct MEPA to their own Policy BEN 2: which states; Development will not normally be permitted if, in the opinion of the Planning Authority, it is incompatible with the good urban design, natural heritage, and environmental characteristics of existing or planned adjacent uses, and is unlikely to maintain the good visual integrity of the area in which it is located.
It would appear that this structure breaks all of those rules and in so doing should be demolished immediately and the area returned to its former state.
How long were applications open for? And how were land owners in the area informed about this demand for a privately owned place to host an interpretation centre?
I am sure that the government owns 'some' land in Dwejra!
"The current site - where an application for a restaurant had been refused three times previously - was eventually chosen after a call for expressions of interest by the San Lawrenz Council, aimed at anyone owning land in the area who was willing to host the new interpretation centre. The applicant was the only person to apply."
I don't know the applicant personally but all my Gozitan friends can tell who He is. Stop taking people for a ride.