Għajnsielem’s ODZ Land Threatened By Proposed Supermarket And 18-Apartment Development
A huge chunk of Għajnsielem’s ODZ (Outside Development Zone) land is currently under threat after an application for a new supermarket and 18-dwelling apartment block was submitted for the quiet Gozitan town.
The application, which is currently awaiting recommendation, was filed by none other than Perit Alexander Bigeni, who is often involved in developments that spark controversy on the island of Gozo.
It was filed together with Gozitan developer Francesco Grima, detailing the excavation and construction of the 1,500 square metres worth of land situated along Triq l-Imġarr, Għajnsielem.
It details three storeys of excavation of the area, to make way for constructing basement parking at levels -3 and -2, as well as additional car spaces and storage at level -1, a supermarket and a shop (Class 4B) at level 0 and 18 residential units overhead. A pool was also included in the plans.
Representations have already started coming in, with the objections period open until 18th September, giving residents time to voice their concerns on the development.
This is not the first attempt to develop the site, as the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) had opposed the previous application – PA/04172/22 – saying that no development should exceed ODZ boundaries, as seen in the plans.
And ERA has once again already voiced its concerns, saying that the development will result in significant uptake of undeveloped rural land, urbal sprawl into ODZ land, and have visual impacts on the surrounding environment.
“The proposed use of the site for recreational/commercial uses is not considered suitable within this area ODZ and such development should be limited to areas already designated for such uses,” ERA said.
“In view of the above, this development application is objectionable from an environmental point of view.”
Even though the developer and architect have claimed that it is an available plot within the development zone, ERA confirmed that the site is mainly situated in ODZ, and only a small section of it actually falls within the development zone.
In other objections starting to come in, residents have also detailed how the site in question is situated some 38 metres from a neolithic site, which has been designated as an archaeological and heritage site.
“This land had been designated as a buffer zone for the neolithic huts and I believe it should remain so because the excavations and construction outlined in the permit application will most definitely be affecting the neolithic site adversely, particularly so since the application details three levels below ground level,” the resident said.
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