Review of Gozo local plan launched

A number of proposed changes for the partial review of the Gozo and Comino local plan, approved in 2006 have been published by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The aim of the changes is to promote a better continuation of government public and community servicing and envisaged cost benefits through the re-organisation of existing public facilities.

Mepa said in a statement that subsequent to last year’s initial public consultation exercise, whereby it had given an overview of the conceptual changes it was about to promote, the authority, through this second phase of public consultation was encouraging the public and all interested parties to give feedback on a number of policy proposed changes within the plan.

The planning exercise was initiated following a request made by the government and the Gozo Ministry for the review of a number of policies in the Gozo and Comino local plan that relate to:

· the upgrading and extension of the Ministry for Gozo and centralised government departmental offices in Victoria;

· the upgrading and extension of the Gozo General Hospital area in Victoria;

· the extension of facilities and consideration of extensions within state schools;

· re-zoning of the Victoria open center previously referred to in the Gozo and Comino Local Plan as the Gozo Communal Centre development brief area; and

·the introduction of new government/civic and community facilities, primarily focusing on the retention and enhancement of open vibrant public spaces.

This partial review of this plan was being carried out to resolve a number of issues in the interest of providing a more dynamic administrative service in Gozo and qualify for EU funding.

The update of existing policy guidance for these sites was required for a sustainable modernisation and consolidation of these institutions as well as for their continued improvement required to achieve a higher quality of service by the government.

This second phase of public consultation is open until March 26. The draft policy document is available for viewing at the MEPA offices or through the authority’s website www.mepa.org.mt .

Submissions by can be sent to the director of planning, partial review of Gozo and Comino local plan, Malta Environment and Planning Authority, PO Box 200, Marsa, MRS 1000, email: gclp@mepa.org.mt .