Height increases in Marsaxlokk should be avoided - EIA

The noise report in the Environment Impact Assessment calls on the Malta Environment and Planning Authority not to allow any height increases in Marsaxlokk and Delimara.

The report warns that an increase in heights or any new development near the power station could expose Enemalta to litigation cases, prompted by the future introduction of noise regulations envisioned in EU regulations.

The conclusions of the EIS could have a direct bearing on the new development brief for the Marsaxlokk area being drafted by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority with the declared aim of encouraging tourism development.

The report warns how "any increase in height across the bay - in the area of Triq il-Port Ruman and Triq Ghajn Osiris - might expose high-rise facades to tonal noise from across the bay, acutely reflected by the sea".

Any future permits in the area leading to the power station from Tas‐Silg should also be controlled, so as to prevent an extension of the development zone towards the power station's boundary.

"If successive applications for residential permitting leading towards Delimara Power Station are allowed, new development might 'enter' noise zones which will not be ideal for residential permitting."

Residents in such areas would not be able to keep windows open without being exposed to higher ambient noise levels.

Moreover, the report authored by Christian Calleja recommends that "no residential development ought to be allowed to the north of the Delimara Power Station boundary within a 400m distance of the nearest power station boundary".

Any height increase in the presently occupied residences in this area will expose the nearby residences to possible nuisance or health effects.

The report refers to the permitting in recent years in the Ta' Wilga area - which is located less than 300 metres away from power station boundary - as an example of development which should be avoided in the future.

No residential permitting ought to be allowed on the south shoulder of Delimara Power Station boundary.

The report concludes that any height increase in the presently occupied residences will expose residences to possible nuisance or health effects. It also states that, "the permitting of any future high rise, such as to expose the higher parts of any façade to Delimara Power Station, should be curbed".

Apart from buildings in the vicinity of Tas-Silg and Ta' Wilga, the report also pinpoints the il-Kavallerizza area and the Marsaxlokk seafront, as sound easily travels across water and could annoy residents on the opposite side of the bay.

The noise consultant warns that in the absence of these planning regulations, Enemalta could potentially be exposed to acrimonious situations.

"It is thought necessary to put forward these suggestions to forestall any possible future acrimonious situations," where citizens would demand redress from Enemalta due to the possible introduction of legal noise requirements in the future.

"It would be a planning burden on Enemalta should future noise mitigation measures, reach a critical point, to become necessary to curb any effects on encroaching development".
MEPA is currently preparing a development brief for Marsaxlokk aimed at encouraging tourism in the area. The goalposts for development in the same area could change following the government's decision to draft an Environment and

Development Brief for the Marsaxlokk harbour area with the declared aim of "setting development parameters with an emphasis on tourism for the regeneration of the area which seek to complement, capitalise on and enhance its environmental value".