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James Debono
The North West local plan provides the government an exit strategy out of the golf course quandary by paving the way for massive residential development in Hal Ferh and the area behind the Golden Sands resort.
The future of the golf course has been in doubt since MaltaToday revealed that the Xaghra l-Hamra site lies on an important underground water source.
Although the local plan does not exclude the golf course, which is pending upon the results of the environmental impact assessment, it provides the government with an alternative way to use its properties in the area.
The plan, approved by Environment Minister George Pullicino on 3 August, paves the way for tourism development on the area presently occupied by the Hal Ferh complex, the Ghajn Tuffieha barracks, the scouts camp and the derelict area behind the Golden Sands Resort.
In this way the government will be able to utilise properties which fell in to its hands following its deal with national carrier Air Malta last year.
The plan earmarks the site for tourism accommodation, camping and horse riding facilities as well as retail and catering facilities.
The plan states that should the government not continue to pursue the golf course proposal, MEPA will favourably consider residential development in the area following the publication of a development brief.
The development is subject to a number of conditions, which include the conservation of structures which have a historical or architectural value.
It also states that new buildings should be designed to integrate well with the rural context and the contours of the site.
The local plan still identifies Xaghra l-Hamra as the site for the new golf course and ancillary residential development.
But MEPA is still awaiting the results of the EIA to determine the fate of the golf course.
The local plan states that MEPA will utilise the EIA process to determine the best layout and design for the course and the built development within the site if the environmental impacts can be adequately mitigated.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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