A large heart-shaped extension to the Ramla Bay Hotel, described by the developers as a piece of “iconic architecture to provide a permanent attractive landmark at Malta’s northern tip”, has been given the go-ahead by the planning authority.

The permit will see the demolition of 45 former timeshare apartments at the seaward end of the hotel in Marfa, close to the Comino ferry landing stop, and the construction of 100 apartments on seven levels as well as three restaurants, a nightclub and a bar.

Heritage NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa had objected to the design of the extension, which, it said, would create an additional building mass that would have a significant visual impact on the coastline, as seen from the ferry.

A visual impact assessment of the project in fact highlighted major impacts from the viewing area along the rocky foreshore, Marfa Road and the Comino ferry.

During a public meeting yesterday, project architect Ray Demicoli, who is also a member of the Design Advisory Committee, said the extension was considered preferable to an additional two storeys on the existing block, which “would have created a poorer visual interest due to its straight volumetric block”.

To integrate with the natural context of sea and rocky shore

The new design is described as an “organic, dynamic and curved shape which provides the architectural concept of flow and sleek lines… to integrate with the natural context of sea and rocky shore”.

The developers hope to eventually renovate the main block of the hotel, which dates back to the 1960s, to match the design of the extension.

The hotel is located in an outside development zone and is surrounded by a number of proposed areas of ecological importance and a number of legally-scheduled areas, including Knights-era structures and World War II defences.

The project did not require an environmental impact assessment but studies by the environment agency concluded that, as long as mitigation measures are in place, the proposal would not have any significant negative impacts, including on the important marine ecosystems nearby.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage did not raise concerns over the scheduled buildings and noted that the proposed footprint had already been impacted by existing buildings.

Public access along the coastline will not be impeded by the new development.

The Planning Authority board imposed a planning gain of €136,808 to fund environmental improvement projects in the locality as well as a bank guarantee of €100,000.

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