The Hunt For ODZ Continues: Retirement Home Proposed On 5,000sqm Of Pristine Għarb Land
Għarb’s ODZ land really can’t seem to catch a break, with a fresh new application for a retirement home on pristine land popping up recently.
The proposed development application outlines plans to build a retirement care home on the outskirts of Għarb, at the end of Triq Molina, leading to Wied il-Mielaħ.
While the application form, filed by Perit Alex Bigeni and applicant Joseph Farrugia, who is a well-known property developer and owner of Prime Care Ltd, claims that the site does not fall within ODZ land, it turns out that it does.
Calculations revealed that around 5,000sqm of the area falls within ODZ land, while only around 500sqm falls within the development zone.
The project claims that it is only three storeys high, ignoring the terraced nature of the proposed building.
The development plans to consist of 94 rooms, as well as indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, clinics, a day centre, and a chapel.
Digital interpretation of current plans
“A few days back, a number of local citizens had our first encounter with the Local Council, Bigeni and the owners,” a resident told Lovin Malta.
“The meeting was of an informative nature but we found things out about which all of us are most concerned about.”
“The height of the finished home; the lack of parking facilities for visitors and deliveries; the blatant use of ODZ; the blank walls facing the houses there; the blocking of the sun to gardens; traffic congestion with possible street parking; views from the bottom of the street up to the home which will obliterate most of the village, and negative side views,” they explained.
The resident also noted the fact that there seems to be no urgency to build such a home otherwise the government would have ensured that the still unfinished and vacant St Joseph’s Home in Għajnsielem, would have been finished by now.
They also added that the current infrastructure in Għarb does not cater for an elderly home, as there is no health centre, no bus stops in the area, very narrow streets for ambulances and no minibus service.
The pricing was also outlined during the meeting, starting at €120 per day for a double room, which translates to €3,600 per month.
Upon enquiring on what the benefits for the residents of Għarb will be, it was said that there will be a rehabilitation pool, that residents might use at a charge for some hours per day.
The projected building time is of five years, which will undoubtedly bring mayhem to the quaint quiet town of Għarb.
Site in question
On top of all that, the site in question is also currently used by farmers, as it is an arable and fertile land.
And it’s not only a number of concerned residents who are against the development, with the Planning Authority and the Environment and Resources Authority also expressing concern.
“The Committee objects in principle to any proposal which is not within RPDG, 2014 or not for Agricultural purposes,” the PA said regarding the application.
“The proposed old people’s home including other ancillary interventions will cover a total area of 5,309sqm, encroaching significantly beyond the development zone boundary. The proposal would result in the take-up of open rural land for the purpose of introducing urban-type land use on a site which is characterised by arable fields,” ERA said.
“This development is objectionable from an environmental point of view.”
What do you make of this application?
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