Cittadella multi-storey parking proposed on illegal site

A three-level car park is being proposed on an ODZ (outside development zone) site covering a total area of around 3,690 square metres to the west and southwest outskirts of the Gozo Cittadella, in an area known as ‘ir-Raba’ ta’ Wara is-Sur’. 

Gozitan developer Joseph Portelli is proposing the development.

The proposal consists in the construction of a three-level car park and a new road.

The parking area will cover around 1,050 square metres and will have a capacity of approximately 107 parking spaces.

The maximum height will not exceed the existing house on Triq il-Kastell (two-storeys high) and this proposal will also involve the demolition of the house, retaining its facade.

The application is also proposing the construction of a new road with a carriageway of approximately five metres. 

The aim of this road is to improve traffic flow within the area and allow traffic from Triq Sant’ Ursola to gain access to the parking area and the upper part of Triq it-Telgha tal-Belt in Victoria. 

The site for the proposed development is mainly characterized by semi-natural or disturbed ground, with terraced slopes of cultivated and abandoned agricultural land. 

The site lies immediately outside of the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of International Importance. But parts of the proposed development are currently being used as a makeshift car park. 

The site is subject to an enforcement notice against non-permitted soil excavations and leveling at the same area.

The Environment Protection Directorate has noted that the development will result in the formalization of the site adjacent to the Cittadella and that the new road is of concern from an environmental point of view, due to its impact on the topographic characteristic of the site and site protection.

“This proposal would result in land take-up within a site located ODZ and a change in the site topography, also leading to impacts on the landscape of area,” the directorate said.

It also noted that the site is subject to an enforcement order. Therefore the existing development on the site cannot be considered when assessing the impact of the new development.

The development may also have a geological impact. Aerial photography of the Cittadella and its immediate environs has indicated that there were two landslides on the eastern flank of the nearby Gallus Hill. 

“Whilst having no clear evidence of landslides on the west-facing slopes of the Cittadella, the area may be subject to such events from the proposed interventions,” a screening report by MEPA states.

The MEPA report concludes that the proposal requires an Environmental Planning Statement (EPS).