Dwejra 'monstrosity' gets new permit

A half-built structure in Dwejra, halted almost two years ago after its developers departed from the original plans, was yesterday finally given the green light.

Fresh plans meant to make the project more sensitive to the surroundings were approved by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, after the planning directorate recommended approval.

The so-called "interpretation centre", which includes an open-air restaurant, is part of a heritage management plan for the area approved in 2005. Overlooking the inland sea, the centre will include an audiovisual presentation area aimed at helping tourists explore this popular Gozitan destination.

The structure, which has been described as a "monstrosity", will now have the top floor replaced with a wooden frame, reducing the visual impact.

Mepa gave the developer three months to remove the top part of the current structure since it will not be covered by the new permit.

The board decided against the setting of a bank guarantee of €25,000, since there was no such guarantee in the originally approved permit.

The applicant's architect argued that it was in the applicant's interest to conclude the project as quickly as possible since the past two years were loss-making.

Roderick Galdes, the Labour party's representative on the Mepa board, voted against the application since it was in an Outside Development Zone area.