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James Debono
Sliema’s newly elected Nationalist mayor Marina Arrigo, wife Robert Arrigo MP, has stated she is against any commercial development in the proposed Qui-Si-Sana project except for the erection of a small kiosk which should not be bigger than a traditional “gabbana”.
Qui-Si-Sana residents have opposed any commercial development proposed in the development brief that was approved by the Nationalist government in 2002, permitting “innovative” tourist-related development, fearing that another Paceville is being created in their backyard.
“We do not agree that there should be any bars, bowling alleys and restaurants attached to the car park. The only acceptable development is a small traditional gabbana serving drinks,” Arrigo told MaltaToday.
Green Party councillor Michael Briguglio, who reiterated his opposition to the car park and the proposed kiosk, welcomed the PN’s councillor’s volte-face as a “positive development.”
The Qui-Si-Sana issue exploded right before last March’s local elections which saw the PN losing 10 per cent of its support in its Sliema fortress, with many Nationalist supporters abstaining and some openly defecting to the Greens or directly to Labour.
The developers are also dancing to the tune of the Nationalist Party’s post local election blues and have withdrawn plans for a 24-lane bowling alley, a 120-seat theatre, an exhibition centre, a bar and various other leisure outlets proposed in earlier plans.
Although the commercial element has been totally removed from the new plans, residents are smelling a rat in developer’s change of heart. They suspect the developer will apply for a change of use permit after the car park is approved by MEPA.
Minister George Pullicino had stated in the past that a change of use would be difficult as it would require amending the contract the developer signed with the government.
A change of use according to Pullicino would be theoretically possible but not easy to achieve.
But the residents’ concerns are fuelled by the new plans in which the areas previously housing commercial outlets have remained unaltered. These floors still exceed the 2.2m height limit set in the development brief. Some floors, now housing cars instead of commercial outlets, are 5 metres high.
The new plans also show over 900 car parking spaces, exceeding the limit of 800 set by the brief.
The attempt by the developer to retain the structure of the commercial areas is worrying residents in view of the fact that the development brief gives the developer the right to construct commercial premises.
Labour councillor Martin Debono is sceptical of the developer’s intentions. “In my opinion the new plans are a joke, as the developers can switch to commercial development as soon as the car park is approved.”
The Qui-Si-Sana Residents Association insist the only safeguard against the commercialisation of their beloved neighbourhood is the withdrawal of the brief. “We insist that the 2002 Development Brief be withdrawn,” a spokesperson for the association told MaltaToday.
According to AD councillor Michael Briguglio, the Sliema council has once again written to the Prime Minister asking for a meeting to discuss the 2002 development brief. The new mayor is confident that this meeting will now take place.
“We want the brief changed to exclude commercial development, and that is why we want to meet the government,” Arrigo told MaltaToday.
The first request for a meeting with the Prime Minister was made last year, but a date is still to be set for this meeting. Although Qui-Si-Sana residents welcome the pro-active stand of the new council against the commercialisation of their neighbourhood, they are still opposed to the car park, even if the commercial element is removed.
The Qui-Si-Sana car park is considered by the government as a solution to Sliema’s parking problems. But the solution to Sliema parking problems, according to councillor Michael Briguglio, is a more efficient public transport service and a resident parking scheme administered by the Sliema council.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
Links: www.quisisana.org/Webdocument.pdf
www.mepa.org.mt/Planning/factbk/briefs/QuiSiSana_DB.pdf
www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/03/05/top_story.html
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