€50,000 fine imposed on large residential project in Hamrun

The MEPA Board imposed a maximum fine of €50,000 on a large development project which commenced works without waiting for the necessary development permission to an amended planning permit.

Although the Board commended the latest project which included the down-sizing of an already approved project and the introduction of a higher quality development which includes 64 terraced houses, the Board found it unacceptable that a large part of the works has already commenced on site.

The site, which has an area of nearly 8,200m² and falls within the limits to development of Hamrun, with frontage on Triq il-Kanun, Triq Farsons, Triq San Gejtanu and Triq Joseph Abela Scolaro, had been granted a full development permit in August 2013. The site also includes old industrial structures built in art deco-style which were previously used as the original Farsons Brewery.

The 2013 development permit integrated the renovation of the industrial buildings and included the construction of 201 residential units spread over 4 blocks with an underlying basement for 409 vehicles. The approved and amended permit granted today, will result in the development of 64 terraced houses, 11 apartments and 2 penthouses. The project also includes 6 shops, an office block, parking facilities for 93 cars and 97 lock-up garages. The existing facades of the Quarters Building and the other heritage value buildings along Triq Farsons will be retained, while part of the internal façade will be dismantled and reconstructed in the same location.

The MEPA Board also approved development planning permission to extend the existing quay below Fort St. Angelo at the Cottonera Waterfront Marina in Birgu, by a further 25 meters to accommodate superyachts of up to 130 meters in length.  The original proposal, which included a 100 metre pier set to be developed perpendicular to the existing quay, was subsequently changed after the Planning Directorate concluded that the proposal would result in a high visual impact on Fort St. Angelo and the Grand Harbour.