‘Payback time for construction’, say Greens on new MEPA tall buildings policy

A new MEPA policy for tall buildings is all the more reason for civil society to support a national environmental protest on Saturday, Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Arnold Cassola said.

Commenting on the new policy to allow 'landmark' buildings pepper Maltese localities under new guidelines, Cassola said the craze for more unlimited height buildings would ruin the island's skyline.

"Historic walled cities such as Mdina, Valletta, the Three Cities and the Cittadella in Gozo, will be dwarfed by the new unlimited height skyline which is normally only typical of places like Dubai, Hong Kong or Singapore, which do not have ancient UNESCO heritage architecture to safeguard," Cassola said.

Deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo the draft policy on heights should not be seen on its own.

"It should be considered within the context of policies already issued for consultation such as those on ODZ and hotel heights. Considering all of these together with the projected local plans, one easily understands that it is payback time for the building construction industry. Rather then being encouraged to build further the building construction industry in Malta should be cut down to size."

No height limit is being imposed in a new policy on tall buildings.

A new MEPA policy for the evaluation of design of tall and medium buildings issued for public consultation, indicates the possible locations of these buildings and sets criteria for evaluation of permits. The locations where these tall buildings can take place are urban commercial centres and urban areas where height limits are already set at four storeys.

Locations where heights are already over 25 metres are being excluded. But committed areas where permits have been issued, will be retained for possible new applications. This leaves the following areas: Marsa, Gzira, the Tigné peninsula - which includes a part of Sliema - Paceville, and Qawra. Pembroke is being reserved as a site for "prestigious development" and will be only considered after all other sites are considered.

Medium-rise building of up to 10 floors will take place in the same areas and other localities, mainly Marsascala, Marsa and area between Gzira and St Julian's, to be identified in local plans. They will be allowed only on 5,000 square metre sites.

Tall buildings will not be allowed in Gozo, outside-development zone ridges, and urban conservation areas, and must be surrounded by streets on four streets. Villa areas also excluded.