Madliena fields set for vast residential construction

One of the largest vacant sites available for development could accommodate up to 66 new dwellings, including 34 villas and 32 other dwellings

The site, bordered by Triq il-Madliena, Triq Esprit Barthet, Triq in-Nafra and Triq il-Militar is designated as the “Central Madliena Opportunity Site”
The site, bordered by Triq il-Madliena, Triq Esprit Barthet, Triq in-Nafra and Triq il-Militar is designated as the “Central Madliena Opportunity Site”

A vast tract of land in Madliena consisting of 50,000 m2 of agricultural land – the size of seven football pitches – is being earmarked for residential development.  

A planning application presented by landowner and entrepreneur Marcus Marshall, one of the owners of Sciclunas Estates, which own the trade fair grounds in Naxxar, is proposing residential development in the area within the limits set by a policy included in the North Harbour Plan of 2006.

It is estimated the site, which is one of the largest vacant sites available for development in the north harbour region, may accommodate up to 66 new dwellings, including approximately 34 villas and 32 other dwellings if limited to a density of 12 units per hectare, as proposed in the local plan. 

The site, bordered by Triq il-Madliena, Triq Esprit Barthet, Triq in-Nafra and Triq il-Militar is designated as the “Central Madliena Opportunity Site”. 

It is developable because it has been included in both the temporary building plans approved in 1988 and in development boundaries approved in 2006.

But the local plan limits the site to “low-density and high quality residential development” and has to be developed in a “comprehensive manner”.

For instance, only detached two-storey villa development with a site coverage of 30% is permissible at the edge of the site.

Higher density dwellings – as much as four units in each block – can be permitted towards the centre of the site providing the proposal integrates with the existing and proposed development in this area.

A cluster of five shops can also be located at ground floor level. But 30% of the site area has to be landscaped with “generous foliage.”

Since the area may harbour archaeological remains, permission for development will also have to wait for consultation with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage – who must be fully satisfied that such development will not adversely affect the archaeological site in any way.