Juan Ameen
Mepa oversight delays hotel extension decision
The planning authority forgot to find out whether an environment impact report was required for the requested extension of 102 rooms for the Ramla Hotel in Marfa.
When contacted, a Malta Environment and Planning Authority spokesman confirmed that during last Thursday's meeting, the board had to take a decision on the full development application for an extension of the four-star hotel in Marfa.
However, an hour before the meeting, it was noted that the planning directorate had forgotten to put the application through a screening process in order to determine whether an environmental impact report was required.
During the meeting, chairman Austin Walker apologised to the developers for the oversight and promised to give them an answer within a week.
By today's board meeting, the planning directorate will have to speed up the process to screen the application.
Mr Walker promised to inform the developers of the directorate's decision and added that if no impact report was required, the board would decide on the application during today's meeting.
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adrian borg cardona
Feb 26th 2009, 14:56
Its nice to see MEPA apologising. But of course, the apology is made to a well known developer (he creates a lot of business for MEPA). How about an apology to the residents of Triq San Frangisk, Balzan, for the mistake made by the Local Plans Unit when they wrongly coloured the one remaining plot for three storey + penthouse when all around is zoned for two storeys only? How did this mistake in the 2002 Local Plan happen? We are told that from this mistake the developer will benefit while the rest of us have to stick our finger where we don't want (literal translation from Maltese). Did someone say, leave it to the professionals? You must be joking!!! Come on MEPA. be honest and make the correction before its too late.
P Mizzi
Feb 26th 2009, 14:37
Hadn't Dr. Gonzi promised to take MEPA's re-organisation under his charge before the general election around this time last year? This situation is beyond ridiculous now with developers losing big money waiting endlessly and the economy losing out on opportunities.
What niggles me most is how nobody seems to care!!