Mepa is still awaiting the outcome of the Appeals Tribunal before deciding what action to take against La Grotta nightclub in Gozo, which has been served with enforcement notices since 1994. Since then, the owners of the club situated in the protected Lunzjata Valley have been stopped several times by the planning authority as attempts were made to expand the venue further into the valley.
The venue, situated on the downhill stretch of road linking Victoria with Xlendi Bay, has been served four enforcement notices. The first dates back 20 years, and the most recent was issued in 1999.
“Between 1999 and 2013 the owner was stopped several times by the authority for carrying out further illegalities on site,” a Mepa spokesman said.
Since an early enforcement notice served for “a disco without permit”, several others have followed related to unauthorised additions and alterations. Even the parking area does not have the required permit.
The latest enforcement notice issued in 1999 refers to a “development without a permit consisting of structures on different levels including a pizzeria, stores, bars, toilets, terraces and stairs, and rooms for accommodation found at the entrance all the way down to the bottom of the valley, along the entire complex of La Grotta”.
Meanwhile, the venue continues to promote itself as “not only one of the best clubs in the Maltese Islands, but also one of the best in the world”.
It bases its reputation on the venue’s unique setting.
“The outdoor dance floor gives you an idea as to why this club is so revered in local and international circles, as it gives you an unspoilt and magical view of a winding valley resplendent with tall bamboo plants sprouting upward all the way down to the foot of the hills that surround the area,” according to La Grotta’s website.
Lunzjata Valley is protected. “This fertile valley is one of the most picturesque in Gozo with unmatched scenery,” according to the Visit Gozo website managed by the Gozo Ministry.
Yet, the same website promotes La Grotta’s events and restaurant.
One of the directors, George Said, is a member of the board of directors of the Gozo Channel company. Several attempts were made to reach him over the last three weeks to no avail.
The Sunday Times of Malta spoke to another director of La Grotta who said he did not wish to comment.
In 2011, the planning authority’s Appeals Tribunal confirmed the decision for enforcement action.
But this was then appealed in court, which upheld the request last October based on “procedural shortcomings” deemed to be “unfortunate and unpleasant”.
These shortcomings occurred as three appeals against enforcement action on La Grotta were ongoing simultaneously.
The court referred the case back to the planning authority’s Appeals Tribunal.
Mepa is still awaiting the outcome of these proceedings.