PA approves heart-shaped Ramla Bay hotel extension

The Planning Authority has approved the heart shaped extension of the Ramla Bay Hotel by the “importance of iconic architecture to provide a permanent attractive landmark at Malta’s northern tip.”

The development was proposed by Holden Group, a company owned by Tarcisio Galea Group of Companies.

The application increases the massing of the existing hotel by replacing 45 apartments with 100 apartments through a heart shaped 7 storey high apartments, three restuarants, a nightclub and a bar. . The proposal will result in an increase of 240 beds in the resort. 

The Planning Directorate had recommended the major extension of the Ramla Bay Hotel despite concerns on the visual impact of the development especially when viewed from the Comino ferry and the rocky foreshore along Triq il-Marfa.

The development which had been exempted from a full Environment Impact Assessment is restricted to the grounds of the existing hotel but the project’s impact on the landscape was assessed in a visual impact assessment.

The assessmnent recognised that the project will have a major visual impact but the project is defended by the architect  of the project Ray Demicoli, recently appointed as a member of the PA's Design Advisory Committee, who insisted that the curves of the project integrate well with the “natural context of sea and rocky shore.”

The architect also argued that the new design would be preferable than increasing the height of the existing 2 storey apartment blocks.

Din l-Art Helwa had objected to the design of the hotel extension insisting that while the existing low laying apartments create a gentle gradient between the hotel and the coastline, the new extension will be imposing itself on the coastline as seen from the Gozo ferry.

A screening report prepared by the Environment Protection Directorate last year had noted that the project seeks to increase the overall massing of the existing hotel. Referring to the photomontages presented by architect Ray Demicoli the report notes that the project will result in “significant effects of the proposed project on the larger cultural and natural landscape and visual setting of the area”. 

artistic impression of the new hotel.

artistic impression of the new hotel.

Due to the proximity to areas of ecological importance the project was also submitted to an “ecological assessment” which concluded that it has no major impacts if adaquete meausures are taken to avoid dust and debris affecting the marine environment which includes posidonia meadows.  The assessment also included recommendations on lighting to protect the nearby sea bird colonies.

The original proposal was also revised to restrict all development on the already disturbed hotel area and do away with any development on pristine shoreline.

The project does not involve the take up of any virgin ODZ land but increases the massing of the existing development. MEPA had already approved a 102-room extension in 2009.