Case updates

Abstract

PA 2573/03 - the construction of a bungalow at Gebel Ghawzara at Bidnija (the construction high up on the ridge above Burmarrad and which this column had featured prominently). Enforcement notice ECF 159/03 is still operational on site but, following the favourable DCC 93-01A/04 decision taken at a meeting on October 5, this would cease to be operative as soon as PA 2573/03 is issued. In the DCC's opinion, the applicant complied with its requests and landscaping is no longer needed; besides, planning gain was also gleaned from the entire case. One of the most controversial planning cases concerns the development of a stretch of land very close to the oldest standing building in St Paul's Bay (cfr. Fr Eugene Paul Theuma, The Sunday Times, June 20, 1999) - the Ta' Tabibu Dejma guard tower. The 15th century towers are purported to be the oldest of its kind in the Maltese Islands and dominates the last remaining uncommitted coastal cliff area in the St Paul's Bay area, that of il-Maqtugh rocks. Despite this, the site abutting on the tower is located within the Temporary Provisions Scheme for St Paul's Bay (TPS no. 6), and is zoned for the development of terraced houses with front garden. In fact, this comprises the gist of the appellant's case.