‘Not A One-Size-Fits-All Approach’: PA To Take A Very Franka-Forward Stance On Developments In Gozo
The Planning Authority (PA), when assessing and determining development application in all of Gozo’s urban areas, shall “require the use of unpainted and unrendered lower globigerina limestone (franka) on the street facade,” according to a circular issued by the Authority.
The Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED) of 2015, a planning document which was launched by the PA as a replacement for the 1990 Structure Plan for the Maltese Islands, “emphasises the importance of recognising the distinctive characteristics of Gozo” and ensures that “policies for island are not just a replication of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach”.
With that in mind, the PA has issued a very franka-forward circular called Designing for Gozo’s Distinctiveness, which highlights how a more Gozo-specific approach will be adopted when it comes to the “interpretation and applicability of existing policy and guidance statements that concern design principles for future development applications” in the sister island.
Particularly, the PA “shall require the use of unpainted and unrendered” franka on the street façade. The franks stone can also be utilised as a structural element or as a cladding material.
“It is evident that weathered franka stone is an important constant in the Gozitan architectural grammar and contributes positively even to long-distance views. In a skyline and scheme edge treatment context, this material, which is rich in colour and texture, helps to mellow the transition from the urban to the rural which occurs at the development zone boundary,” the Authority stated.
That being said, in the case of development applications located outside Urban Conservation Areas and Design Priority Areas, specifically in locations subject to erosive or corrosive climatic conditions such as seafronts, the PA “may consider alternative natural materials with similar visual and sensory properties to franka stone, such as coralline limestone (hardstone), or travertine.”
The PA went on to say that public buildings and non-residential developments in Gozo’s urban areas must also have to adhere to the same guidelines.
“The materials and colours used in apertures and balconies on the street facade or any facade on a ridge edge development must fully integrate with the franka stone. Blank party walls shall be rendered and painted in stone colour,” the Authority continued.
In order to make sure that this approach is actually being put into practice, the PA will include the “type” and “colour” of the building materials, apertures and balconies as a “condition” within the actual development permission.
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