Massive 14-Storey Hotel Proposed By Joseph Portelli In Xlendi
Construction magnate Joseph Portelli has done it again, this time proposing a monstrous 14-storey hotel in the beautiful bay of Xlendi in Gozo.
This application, PA/05500/22, is the second in a series of piecemeal proposals, a tactic that Portelli uses to obtain permits that go against policies and local plans. The application was made by Perit Alex Bigeni.
Its plans are tied with application PA/04587/20, making this application the second phase of a monstrous project, located in Triq San Xmun abutting, Triq il-Puniċi.
The proposal outlines the construction of a 4-star hotel, with 88 rooms, including ancillary facilities and an underground parking area. The hotel will be on four floors at basement level, and 14 floors above lower street level and shall include a pool at roof level and an indoor pool.
Activist group Moviment Graffitti has already urgently appealed to the public to object to the development, with the representations period closing on 30th September.
Apart from running counter to a number of policies and Gozo’s local plans, the approved development would also prove to be detrimental to the area, and will undoubtedly have a massive and irreversible impact on residents of Xlendi.
As outlined in the objections being filed, the development would massively increase the urbanisation and congestion within the area, as well as greatly alter the current touristic atmosphere that Xlendi bay comes with.
The application also goes against the objectives set out in the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development, namely Urban Objective 4 and Coastal Objective 1.
“To ensure that all new developments are energy and water efficient and provide a sense of place, respond to the local character, improve amenity and the pleasantness of place and ensure safety,” objective four states.
“To prioritise uses that necessitate a location on the coastal zone and marine area in a manner which minimises user conflicts, does not accelerate coastal erosion, protects biodiversity, cultural heritage, landscapes and visual access to them, public access and use increase resilience to climate change impacts,” objective one highlights.
The development application also runs counter to the Gozo and Comino Local Plan, which states that:
“Most of the modern development in Xlendi contrasts sharply with the surrounding landscape. The policy states that “fortunately, the extent of the impact is limited by the visual containment afforded by the surrounding higher terrain, although a considerable part of the sizeable solution subsidence structure making up the area (one of six characterising the west coast of Gozo), has been considerably mutilated by the development that occurred in the area.”
The policy further states that “limited intensification of development within the existing Development Zones” may be permitted; “however, it must be borne in mind that Xlendi lies in a unique setting and whilst it may be desirable to slightly intensify development, the impact should be contained so that the scenic qualities and the tourist experience of the area are not compromised.”
You can submit your objection by Friday 30th September by sending an e-mail to [email protected] and write ‘PA/05500/22’ as the subject
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