Along
the years, the present structures of the Justice Law Courts at the Gozo
Citadel, served as a suitable and adequate place in which the court performs
day-to-day work. This meant that the
Gozitan people could be served comfortably from the same island, without the
need to resort to Maltese Law Courts.
With
endless situation of a more hectic and progressive lifestyle, and conscious
from the fact that accessibility, today more than ever, has become a priority
not only for a few select groups of our society, but for all of us, a show of
need was obvious for a more modern and accessible location and modern Law Court
structure that fits with our time.
Previous administrations were in agreement with this vision and various studies were undertaken
to explore places and locations fit for this new landmark in a particular site.
The
original site proposed in the past legislature for new court premises along
with an underground parking, was an existing public parking. Originally, the new Law Court Building had to
be planned on a multi-storey car park spread over five (5) stories. Hence, this building required the necessary
excavations that had to dig very deep in order for the laying of foundations.
Various challenges presented themselves during preliminary studies before the actual commencement of
the digging process, it came out that a huge project like this is could never
rest on the proposed site. This was due
to the fact that the proposed site had problems with clay and there was an
evident defect in the terrain. Thanks to
this study, the exact point where the problem stood was exactly beneath the
proposed site of the new law court. Upon
this finding, and on various opinions from architects, the Ministry had to take
a decision to find an alternative place, given that the defect in the terrain
posed a major treat for the whole project during and also after
construction.
Faced
with this new challenge, The Ministry For Gozo showed a pro-active approach and
instructed various experts to identify potential sites that might occupy this
project that is so highly important for the Gozitan society. The Ministry For Gozo emphasized on the fact
that the proposed sites had to be central and adequate for this aim by ensuring
security and offers the right space for the foundations and other structures
related to the building and parking facilities.
Apart from this, the structure has to be completely accessible, offers
ancilliary facilities and is built in a modern way to reduce environemntal
impact.
After a serious technical exercise, a preferable
alternative site was identified between the limits of Victoria and Xewkija,
adjacent to ex-MDP that will be converted as an ICT hub and to RS2. This site is easyily accessible and forms
part of a new regeneartional project of all the zone.
a.
Do you agree with the
indicated site as a new location for the new law court? If no, where do you suggest?
b.
What would you like to include in the new Law Courts in Gozo?
c.
What would you like to see that’s new that is not currently available in
the present law court in Gozo?