Hotel extension encroaches on Għajnsielem belvedere

For over a year now, part of the public Għajnsielem belvedere has been gradually taken over by building equipment and material being used to extend a neighbouring hotel.

This encroachment has stopped access by Gozitans and visitors to this part of the belvedere.

The encroached part of the belvedere has had its metal balustrades removed and has been closed off by concrete bricks, making this section of the belvedere look like part of the hotel extension.

Additionally, the hotel extension wall next to the belvedere has an opening onto the adjacentgovernment land despite the fact that the Lands Department has not granted the developer permission for any such openings.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority and Għajnsielem council have both been made aware of this encroachment which, however, has been allowed to go on.

When will Mepa act? The Mepa reform and eco-Gozo promises will only materialise if land use in Gozo is according to law and does not allow public land to be encroached upon by developers.