Stop big projects until masterplan is approved, says independent MP

Independent MP Marlene Farrugia has presented a motion in parliament calling for a moratorium on high-rise projects located on both public and private land, until a masterplan regulating such developments is approved.

Presently, the PA is considering a 38-storey residential block and a 40-storey hotel in Sliema, a new 24 storey tower in Gzira and a financial centre proposed by the Gasan and Tumas Groups comprising 16, 18, 20 and 14 storeys in Mriehel. Moreover, a number of high-rise towers are being proposed in Paceville, including two residential towers proposed on the site occupied by the Institute of Tourism Studies, which is being given as a concession to the SeaBank group. Apart from high rise projects, calls for proposals have also been issued for development of the White Rocks site. Another pending development is that of the Skyparks in the vicinity of the airport.

Farrugia’s motion calls for a national masterplan formulated after public consultation and the publication of studies, which assess the country’s present and future needs. The masterplan would also consider not just the aesthetic and environmental impact but also the economic impact and long term sustainability of such projects.

Farrugia’s motion comes a few days after finance minister Edward Scicluna warned against the supermarket mentality in the construction industry, whereby developers tried to compete with large-scale projects irrespective of the demand.

The finance minister said there was a lack of information when it came to high-rise buildings, which was where the Planning Authority had to come in.

Addressing a Finance Malta conference, Prof. Scicluna stressed the importance that none of Malta’s economic sectors should be allowed to overheat and reach overcapacity.

Malta’s healthy growth, he said, needed to be managed to stop it developing into an unsustainable boom.

The government, he said, had managed to control expenditure while boosting revenue without inducing any shocks to the economy. 

Farrugia’s motion calls on the government to prepare the masterplan and appropriate legislation in a reasonable time to ensure that potential investors are given the peace of mind that any competitive bids will be based on fair play and society will get value for money for public land handed over to the private sector.

The approval of tall buildings is presently regulated by a planning policy, which had identified Tigne, Qawra, Paceville, Marsa and Imriehel as sites where buildings, which are over 11 storeys, can be constructed. Imriehed was a late addition included by the government after the closure of public consultation. A policy on hotel heights also foresees high rise buildings in the case of landmark stand alone hotels. No economic studies have been carried out on the feasibility of mega projects.