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James Debono
A number of open spaces threatened by the extension of development zones mentioned by MaltaToday during the past weeks have either been “partially excluded” from the final document on the rationalisation of development boundaries, or left in abeyance pending comprehensive archaeological studies.
On the other hand various new pockets have emerged in sensitive areas in Gozo.
Despite the exclusion of a number of sensitive areas, the final proposal only covers 0.1 per cent of land less than the original one.
Various archeological sites which had been identified by MaltaToday as being potentially threatened are now being held in abeyance subject to comprehensive archaeological studies. These include sites in Xaghra Gozo near the Xaghra tal-Lukin site, Triq il-Maqdes ta’ Juno in Marsaxlokk near Tas-Silg, and two others in Mgarr.
A significant portion of the open space known as Muntanji Mgarrin, opposite the Mgarr Church parvis is now also being excluded from the new schemes, with development on the remaining part being restricted to two storeys.
Development at Tal-Qortin in Mellieha, which stretched to the limits of a Natura 2000 site, has now been contained and limited to a site which is being given in compensation to landowners like former Nationalist mayor Joe Borg, whose land has been removed from the new scheme.
Another area being safeguarded from building development is the Fekruna bay in Saint Paul’s Bay. Two weeks ago this newspaper revealed that MEPA had reneged on commitments to exclude this area from development zones. The new plans state that the area should remain undeveloped, as laid down by the MEPA-approved North West Local Plan.
Another area partially excluded from the new plans is the one containing “illegal” stores belonging to Tumas Group, mentioned in last week’s edition.
A number of small pockets have emerged in the Gozitan villages of Gharb, Ghajnsielem, Nadur, Sannat, Ghasri and Rabat. In Nadur three small new sites have been added, which include a site in Triq San Blas and in Triq Taz-Zrajk. A note states that due to the nature of these sites, special attention to design parameters is required. One of the sites in Gharb lies on a sensitive site to the extent that a note states that buildings should not intrude beyond 20 metres from ridge to edge.
In Malta some localities will be seeing more development. Naxxar Road in Gharghur, which has already been included, has been extended to include a rural conservation area. In Luqa, a large site near Wied il-Knejjes has been included, subject to the clearance of the civil aviation department.
Qrendi will see more development in Triq it-Torri even if the original site proposed last month is now subject to an archeological study. In April, Dr Marlene Pullicino, a former PN candidate who recently defected to the Labour camp, applied to make restorations on an existing building in a newly added zone. In Kappara, an area near the roundabout between Sliema Road and Triq it-Tellint has been included. An application for residential units in the area is pending before MEPA.
Other controversial sites have been retained in the new final document. These include the site at Tal-Maghluq in Marsaskala which includes a scheduled pigeon loft and a British military command post brought to the attention of MaltaToday’s readers three weeks ago.
Minister George Pullicino has insisted government will continue pressing ahead with its plans despite the outcry from various organisations and individuals on the proposed schemes. The areas covered by the zones in the final document published this week is only 0.1 per cent less than that proposed before the public consultation exercise.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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