Juan Ameen
New plans submitted for Dwejra eyesore
If the new plans are approved the concrete pillars will be replaced by a wooden structure.
The concrete pillars which form part of the half-built controversial Dwejra centre are to be removed if the Malta Environment and Planning Authority accepts a set of recently-submitted amended plans.
The developer submitted fresh plans to Mepa this month to amend the appearance of the eyesore shell-like structure, which has been left untouched since March 2008.
The construction of the centre, which is part of a heritage management plan for the area approved in 2005, was stopped half-way through after Mepa said it would be investigating "possible deviations from the approved plans".
A Mepa spokesman said the developer had now submitted an amended set of plans for the structure, which were a great improvement on what was originally submitted.
Under the amended plans, the concrete pillars would be removed and replaced by a wooden structure which would look like a terraced roof. It is not clear if the structure will be any smaller, however.
The structure, intended to become the Dwejra Interpretation Centre, was part of a heritage management plan for the area approved in 2005.
The approved plan comprised a series of conservation measures for the area, but it also controversially sanctioned a number of illegal boathouses.
Under the approved plans, the developer was obliged to produce a structure that could be dismantled and he had suggested the erection of a wooden building bolted to a metal structure.
However, when the cost of the metal structure was deemed to be prohibitive, the frame was made out of concrete instead.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
8 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
James A. Tyrrell
Jun 14th 2009, 21:04
@Jimmy Magro. Jimmy the developer in question is in fact Joseph Cassar who first applied to build a restaurant at Dwejra in 1998. I think initially certain NGO’s backed the idea of the interpretation centre but have since cooled a bit in this regard.
Jimmy Magro
Jun 14th 2009, 17:14
The author of the report fails short to mention the developer and keeps calling the developer as "the developer"; when these things are public since all planning applications are made public.
Am I correct to understand that the developer happens to be an environment NGO and that the project is wholly financed by the European Union?
Why do we citizens have to do this work to enlighten your own readers. Please dig well into the affair as there is a lot to be discovered.
James A. Tyrrell
Jun 14th 2009, 15:06
I'm sorry but I must be missing something here. The whole idea of this Dwejra Interpretation Centre is an eyesore because it sticks out like a sore thumb at the top of the hill. It's an absolute disgrace that it was ever conceived and built to the stage it is at let alone be left for over a year spoiling the vista of the entire area.
As for the idea of removing the concrete pillars and replacing them with wood what difference will that make for God's sake? Wood is an even more alien substance to the landscape of Gozo than concrete!
Joseph Grech
Jun 14th 2009, 15:04
SHAME ON MEPA AND THE PRIME MINISTER WHO PROMISED THAT SUCH OBSCENITIES WOULD NO LONGER HAPPEN. HE MADE THE PROMISE BUT HAS NOT DELIVERED. Mepa should not accept any new plans - the scandalous construction should be torn down and nothing built instead. We Maltese hold the authorities responsible to defend our environment - and not to keep on ruining it. Alan Deidun, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, George Pullicino and other M.P.s and Parliamentary Secretaries (especially Mario de Mario Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism) are entreated to come to the defence of Dwejra. Mepa cannot be depended upon to act in the interest of the environment.
J Farrugia
Jun 14th 2009, 13:11
Shame on MEPA for not removing this obscene eyesore. And still shame on MEPA for allowing this contraption to remain there for all to see. DO YOUR DUTY. Remove them immediately and scrap all projections for that wonderful area.
KARMENU VELLA
Jun 14th 2009, 11:39
Id dahqux nies if it is an eye sour it is an eye sour. This is like what happened at Mar fa hotel
h build number of stores without permit . He was find ed and ever thing left as it was.
e I hope that is not going to happen at a certain hotel in Mellie ha Bay were some pepole do what ever they want if they have money. Come on Jason you are after carravan and umbrellas that is good but look at the enforcement's you have at Meppa
M Borg
Jun 14th 2009, 10:59
scrap the plan!!! This is an eyesore with all the thousands of tourists visiting Dwejra this summer!! REMOVE IT URGENTLY PLEASE !!!!
Galea. L
Jun 14th 2009, 10:06
The whole building should be scrapped