The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) have approved the initiation for the partial review of the Gozo and Comino Local Plan that will provide for the upgrading of the primary Government Institutions and also the development of new public facilities.

This decision was taken following a request by Government and the Ministry for Gozo for the partial review of this local plan that had been approved in August 2006.

The Partial Review will focus mainly on:

1. the upgrading and extension of the Ministry for Gozo and Centralized Government Departmental Offices, Rabat;
2. the upgrading and extension of the Gozo General Hospital Area, Rabat;
3. the extension of facilities and consideration of extensions within Government Schools; and for the
4. re-zoning of the Rabat Central Area previously referred to in the Gozo and Comino Local Plan (GCLP) as the Gozo Communal Centre Development Brief Area
5. the introduction of new government/civic and community facilities, primarily focusing on the retention and enhancement of open vibrant public spaces.

This Partial Review is intended to further promote continuation of government public servicing and allow for positive changes leading to improvements that service the community in Gozo. Moreover through this review, cost benefits are envisaged to be achieved through the re-organisation of existing public facilities.

In the interest of providing a dynamic administration, a number of pending issues need to be urgently resolved through this Partial Review. These major, public administrative requirements affect directly the interest of the general public of Gozo and therefore, this course of action is justified as a public necessity and qualify to attract EU funds.

The update of existing policy guidance for these sites is required to retain a sustainable modernization and consolidation of these institutions as well as for their continued improvement required to achieve a higher quality of service by Government.

The Authority is inviting the public to send submissions and suggestions related to these issues. This initial period of consultation will be for a duration of two weeks, until the 23rd June 2009. Following the conclusion of this public consultation stage, an evaluation exercise will be carried out and a final six week public consultation period will be launched to address the details of the proposed policy changes.

Submissions by the public or other interested parties can be sent to:

Director of Planning
Ref: Partial Review of Gozo and Comino Local Plan
Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA)
P.O. Box 200, Marsa, MRS 1000

Or by email at: gclp@mepa.org.mt