24 June 2007 Rating 179% No Comment  

The National Trust, Din l-Art Helwa, has pointed out that the licensed commercial complex of Ulysses Lodge only occupies around 32% of the site which is to be developed as a tourist complex in Ramla Bay, Gozo. On the 6th of June the Malta Environment and Planning Authority granted a permit for the redevelopment of the 'existing commercial complex' Ulysses Lodge in Ramla Bay, to build a new tourist complex with 23 villas, garages and swimming pools. However the licensed Ulysses Lodge complex comprises only 32% of the 8,000 square metres granted in the permit, said Din l-Art Helwa. Din l-Art Helwa stated that of the rest of the total 8,000 square metres, 27% is undeveloped land, 29% consists of structures built without a permit, and the remaining 12% consists of a villa and 2 rural dwellings. All of the land in question lies outside the development zone in a rural area of high scenic value and close to a protected Natura 2000 site. Din l-Art Helwa presented a chart which shows that 68% of the site is not strictly part of the licensed commercial complex, and should not therefore have been approved for redevelopment.