Sustainable development stressed in Ħal-Ferħ tourist complex brief

Mepa has published for public consultation a development brief for the redundant Ħal-Ferħ tourist complex and its immediate surrounding area in Għajn Tuffieħa in order to shape the sustainable planning development and future use of this area.

Over the coming six weeks of public consultation, Mepa will be meeting with the local councils of the area, NGOs, tourism-related agencies and other interested stakeholders with a view to ensure that the final plan that will eventually be presented to the government for approval will be one that is based on principles of sustainable development.

Stemming from a policy provision in the North West Local Plan, the brief seeks to promote the redevelopment and reuse of the land for tourism, with the goal to develop in a sustainable manner the site's environmental and heritage assets. The brief also envisages to provide additional amenity and leisure facilities for visitors and the public within an overarching goal of rehabilitating the current redundant site.

The draft brief favourably encourages the redevelopment of the former complex into a high quality, family-oriented tourism development that will safeguard and complement the sensitive surrounding landscape and countryside and the existing views. The brief also emphasises that the land-use on site will be for tourism-oriented purposes only.

The brief proposes to couple new replacement low-lying and low-density development with a strong encouragement towards integrating the rehabilitation, promotion and suitable reuse of the former military complex. Emphasis is being placed on the overall design fitting within the rural landscape. Care has been taken not to sprawl outside the existing committed area and no new take-up of agricultural land is contemplated, Mepa said.

The retention of existing mature vegetation is being promoted together with the creation of a landscaping belt around the perimeter of the site. The brief also calls for the proper screening of structures and buildings from external viewpoints, except where this would compromise the setting of historic buildings or buildings of cultural heritage value.

The provision of parking space, efficient vehicular access and the reduction of traffic impact on the surrounding road network is also being sought. This should improve the existing situation as visitors to the surrounding areas will be benefiting from better parking facilities.

In addition, the brief encourages energy-conservation measures both in the conserved structures as well as any new or replacement buildings. Energy conservation measures, such as efficient heating and cooling systems, secondary water use through the incorporation of water collection and storage facilities as well as solid waste management and disposal installations are envisaged.

Furthermore, the actual design of new buildings will follow sustainable energy conservation principles.

Hard or digital copies of the development brief can be viewed and purchased from Mepa's offices in Floriana, the Mellieħa local council or Mepa's website www.mepa.org.mt.

The public is encouraged to send comments and suggestions on the development brief to: The Director of Planning (Ħal-Ferħ Development Brief), Plan Making and Policy Development Unit, PO Box 200, Marsa MRS 1000 or via e-mail to Halferh@mepa.org.mt by not later than October 31.