Fourth Time’s The Charm? Application Seeks To Build Old People’s Home On Għarb ODZ
The Planning Authority (PA) has received a fourth attempt to build an old people’s home on an outside development zone (ODZ) in Għarb, Gozo.
The proposal seeks to clear the site of its cultivated fields and construct a three-storey old people’s home with a two-floor basement. The home would include 68 rooms, 29 car spaces, a chapel and mortuary, a clinic, an office, a dining area and a gym for use by the residents and support staff.
Emanuel Joseph Farrugia is the owner of the land and the applicant of the proposal (PA/2994/24); Alexander Bigeni is listed as the architect. The application was submitted on 8th November 2023, and it proposes Triq l-Isqof Mikiel Molina and Triq il-Blata as the site.
Attempts to turn the plot into an elderly home date back to 1994, with applicant Anthony Farrugia who sought to construct a “senior citizen home with all amenities” in tal-Gidi, Għarb. This was refused, appealed, and refused again.
Fast-forward to 2008, Micheal Farrugia applied to build an old people’s home on two storeys overlying underground car park in the lands of tal-Gidi off, Triq Il-Blata.
14 years later, Emanuel Joseph Farrugia submitted a request (PA/01152/22) for an old people’s home with a host of amenities and with Bigeni as the listed architect. This was opposed by the Environment Resources Authority (ERA) since it was on the edge of the development zone and was mostly located on ODZ which is characterised by “arable fields”.
Residents were strongly opposed to this development in 2022, and it’s likely that the sentiment has not changed. The application was eventually withdrawn.
Not long ago, the site’s owner submitted another application, attempting to turn the agricultural land into a care home. The application will be published on today’s edition of the Government Gazette and so any representations or objections to these plans need to be made by 21st June.
What do you think the PA should decide?
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