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Julian Manduca
Frank Schembri, who is applying to build a car park cum commercial centre at Qui-si-sana has submitted extensive new plans which go beyond the Development Brief prepared by MEPA, just two months after Environment Minister George Pullicino said the development must conform to the brief.
Schembri, who represents C&F Building Contractors, the same company that is also applying to build a car park and commercial centre at the Chalet, submitted his new plans on April 5.
The applicant is asking MEPA to approve a considerable number of shopping outlets soon after minister Pullicino told MaltaToday that “no shops can be put in the development.”
The new proposals include a split-level top two floors with a fish restaurant, cafeteria, a gelateria, and a large gallery restaurant all of which lie adjacent to large paved areas described as ‘gardens’. Also on that level is an audio-visual room, a bookshop, an art shop, a sculpture garden, a bar, and a multi-purpose gallery.
According to the Development Brief the project was meant to include “innovative tourist facilities” and “an underground innovative visitor attraction” but all that the developer could come up with is restaurants and a large health centre complete with aerobics, gym, a dive centre, sauna and steam room, therapy room, Turkish bath room, a juice and health bar and a WIFI lounge, all on the lowest level.
Qui-si-sana residents oppose the project claiming the new commercial centre will be detrimental to their quality of life and enjoyment of what remains one of the few quiet open spaces in Sliema.
While Minister George Pullicino insists the residents need the car park, the residents point out that a new car park is only likely to attract more cars to the area. The residents are also upset because they were never consulted over as second Development Brief that added commercial outlets to what was previously meant to be a car park, but MEPA has refused to re-open a consultation process.
MaltaToday spoke to Simon Camilleri who represents the Qui-si-sana Action Committee that has been set up to oppose the development and was told: “these plans are worse than our worst fears. People will go to the gardens to enjoy peace and quiet and will come face to face with noise and smells. We were told that the project would have a garden on top but the plans show an area that is 90 percent paved. It could not be worse.
“The entrance to the car park is now to be placed in front of the Qui-si-sana residents rather than at a distance from them according to plans that have been submitted to MEPA by the Transport Authority and MEPA will have to abide by those plans.
“The residents were not consulted on the Development Brief and if MEPA approves the plans as submitted it would be a travesty of justice and consultation procedures. The car park at Qui-si-sana is not needed. The High Street Car Park is underused.
“MIDI and Town Square Projects will add another 1,700 car parking spaces and the Ghar id-dud and Pjazzetta Car Parks will probably add another 400 spaces. There is widespread opposition to this project the authorities should respect that. The commercial development simply defeats the idea of the car park as it will attract yet more traffic to an area already choked with traffic. The last thing Sliema needs is yet more commercial development.”
According to the contract for the Qui-si-sana car park the developer will be granted a lease for Lm130,000 a year.
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