Gzira lido, Riviera hotel extension, private hospital relocation approved

The planning authority this afternoon approved an outline application for a lido on reclaimed land in Gzira proposed by four hotels – Bayview, Kennedy Nova, 115 The Strand and The Waterfront. The hotels, which are all adjacent to the earmarked area, want the lido for their guests and paying users. The proposal is a downscaled version of the original that had been submitted. It covers an area of about 2,300 square metres and will include a swimming pool, a bathing area and two restaurants. There will also be a children’s play area and garden for public use, spanning an area of about 300 square metres. A two-metre-wide public passage­way was recently included in the plans to allow access to the public, fishermen and boat owners. The design of the restaurants was “improved”, respecting the openness of the existing promenade while “protecting important views towards Valletta and Manoel Island”, according to the developers. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage harboured concern on the visual impact the project would have from Valletta, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The authority also unanimously approved an extension to the Riviera Hotel in Marfa on condition that the new cark is...