Another Attempt: Proposal For Five-Story Apartment Building Near Ġgantija Temples Resurfaces
A proposal for a five-story apartment block just metres away from the Ta’ Kola windmill and the protected Ġgantija Temples in Gozo has once again resurfaced.
The application, which deals with a site situated along Triq il-Mitħna in Xagħra, was filed by Leanne Portelli and Jodie Lee Borg together with architect Godwin Sultana.
The planning process had been halted by the developers after the plans received hundreds of objections due to the context of the area, however, it has now been resumed.
The plans detail the removal of existing dilapidated structures, partial excavation of site, and the construction of thirteen garages, a reservoir at lower ground, two maisonettes, ten apartments at first, second, third and setback level, a garden and the construction of two pools at the backyard and two at setback floor.
Back in September 2021, when the application process was already active, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage had already filed an objection to the plans.
“The site in question is within Ġgantija Area of Archaeological Importance (G.N 853/10) and within 40m of the Grade One Il-Mitħna Ta’ Kola (G.N 486/12). The site is also within 235m of Ġgantija World heritage Site and Grade One Monument (G.N 357/98 updated by G.N 853/10).”
“The Superintendence objects to the application as proposed.”
The Environment and Resources Authority had even said that “the height of the building should respect the height of the existing streetscape”.
And apart from the hundreds of other objections to the development, Din L-Art Ħelwa Għawdex had also raised alarms, “strongly” objecting to the plans and listing all the guidelines the it breaches, as well as the local plan.
What do you make of this proposed development?
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