Promoters of a planned luxury development near Golden Sands have had to reply to tens of people who slammed their project on the Facebook page set up for publicity purposes.
The plans for a low-lying luxury resort near two of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the island were met with mixed reactions, some saying it looked impressive and beautiful but others describing it as “vile” and “disgusting”.
The Oasis, as it will be called, is set to replace the disused Ħal Ferħ site (a former tourist complex) in line with a development brief issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in December 2008.
Many of those who criticised the project cited environmental grounds.
“Just another project set out to screw up the rest of our virgin landscape,” wrote one woman, wondering why the Mediterranean Sea was not enough of an oasis as it is.
Others complained about the aesthetics, describing it as a Formula 1 track. Some argued that although it looked good, it should have been used as a public space rather than something to be enjoyed just by the wealthy. A number of commentators also complained that the site is situated on an Outside Development Zone.
The project is co-owned by Island Hotels Group Limited and Mediterranean Overseas Holdings Limited, the same partnership that owns the Radisson Blu Golden Sands Resort & Spa.
Following so many comments, the company issued a clarification and even made individual contact with some Facebook users who asked persistent questions.
“The project does not take up any land which is not already compromised and does not infringe in any way on arable land. It does not infringe on anything at all that is pristine,” Island Hotels Group said.
“The new development will only occupy as much land as the current buildings do. The only difference is that the old buildings are practically falling down while the new development will be something that is more fitting to our overall tourism offering.”
Three quarters of the buildings will only be one storey high while the other 25 per cent will stop at two storeys. And with 65,000 square metres for landscaping and vegetation, less than 20 per cent of the land will be built upon.
“This will make the development the least dense and lowest building of its kind on the Island, in keeping with the overall area.”
The company also boasted that all trees and plants would be indigenous Maltese species and that the carbon footprint of the development will be kept to a minimum, making this an efficient and environmentally sustainable site.
It will also include a car park to be used by those visiting the area.
“Of course not everyone has to like it but at least the above should clear up some of the questions, comments and misconceptions posted below,” ended the clarification.
Some Facebook users thanked the Island Hotels group for entering into this type of dialogue and noted that the Golden Sands beach would not be affected by the plans, unlike what was previously thought. According to a Mepa spokesman the site is indeed lying ODZ but had already been developed and operated as a tourism complex, Ħal Ferħ.
It was then given a development brief almost three years ago for the site to be regenerated.
The application (PA 4906/10) seeks an outline development permit to demolish the existing touristic complex, clear the site and construct a tourist complex according to the development brief.
Mepa said there were no formal objections to the plans.