Mepa has granted approval for an additional 30 bungalows at the Mellieha Holiday Complex at Ghadira Bay.

The new units, each between 90 and 110 square meters, will be built on land that is already committed within the bounds of the extensive holiday complex, originally built in the 1960s and highly-regarded in terms of its architecture and environmental considerations. 

Mellieha Holiday ComplexMellieha Holiday Complex

The new bungalows  - which were first proposed 10 years ago - will all be built with the same materials, height and design as the original units. 

Although the site is adjacent to a nature reserve and area of special conservation, none of the new units impinge on the boundaries of the conservation area and all lighting will be subdued to mitigate the potential for light pollution.

The planning authority imposed a planning gain of €15,000 as well as requiring the developers to submit certain plans - including a Biodiversity Management Plan - within six months, before the start of works. These plans were required by the Environment Protection Directorate but the developers' initial submissions were deemed inadequate.

CAR PARK NEAR THE DRAGAONARA HOTEL

Mepa also granted permission for a 2,400 square metre area of vacant land adjacent to the Westin Dragonara hotel in St Julian's to be developed into an underground two-storey car park. 

As part of the permit, the developers Peninsula Investments (which owns the hotel) are required to build and maintain a garden on street level which will be open to the public throughout the day.

The project architect said the development would upgrade a disused area in a prime tourism zone and provide much needed parking for hotel. 

The site is bounded by a scheduled Knights-era coastal wall, in light of which Mepa imposed a €23,000 planning gain and insisted on a three-metre buffer zone and the restoration of the entire stretch of wall at the developers' expense. 

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