ERA appeals Planning Authority decision on Gozo ridge-edge development

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has filed an appeal against the approval of a permit for the development of a villa in Sqaq Anton Mallia in Żebbuġ, Gozo.

The proposed development, the ERA said, “will completely eradicate the cliff edge and formalise a site that is currently pristine, while creating a private belvedere. The site in which the proposed development is located is sensitive and the development is not in line with the objectives of the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED).”

Before the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal, ERA had opposed the fact that without any explanation, the Planning Commission ignored what was brought before it by ERA’s Case Officer, as well as the advice of external consultants and objectors.

Additionally, the ERA added, “permission was approved despite the fact that the applicant did not provide the information that was requested by ERA, the Design Advisory Committee of the Planning Authority and the Planning Directorate.”

Three quarters of the site in question, the ERA points out, is in a zone outside development. The ERA said it, “believes that the Commission was selective and only considered part of the development that is located within development zone. The proposed development should be assessed with all applicable policies, including those concerning ODZ”.

The Commission, the ERA said, has “turned a blind eye to the holistic aspect of the proposal and clutched at straws in order to approve this development”.

The application, filed back in 2017 had raised the ire of environmental NGOs, the local council and residents, who say that the development will ruin a virgin area of natural beauty that at present is comprised of picturesque agricultural fields.

The application – to develop six apartments over three storeys, a pool and an additional floor for parking – was also objected to unanimously by the Zebbuġ Local Council. Environmental NGOs Din l-Art Helwa and Flimkien ghal Ambient Ahjar had also filed their objections to the proposed development.

Although part of the development lies within the Urban Conservation Area, the vast majority of the site lies in a hands-off ODZ area.

The application has drawn considerable objections from nearby residents, who fear that not only will Zebbuġ’s distinctive and unique cliffs and ridge be ruined forever, but they will be replaced by a glaring eyesore. The proposed apartments, they point out, are not terraced and as such will simply constitute a chunk of a building on what is today a highly scenic view. The picturesque ridge and cliffs in question can be seen from several areas of Gozo including Ta Pinu, Għasri, Għarb and San Lawrenz.

They also fear that the development, which is in the middle of nowhere and only accessed by a narrow footpath on the cliff edge, will lead to the additional construction of an access road.

The site is full of indigenous flora and fauna, including protected trees, very old rubble walls and a unique marble that was used to build Zebbuġ church.

In their representations to the Planning Authority, residents have pointed out that there are few areas that have so far remained untouched, and that there could be no way of compensating for the destruction of the area in question.