MEPA approves 16-storey tower in Gzira

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has approved the development of a 16-storey tower in Gzira, 150 metres away from the Gzira church, which will consist of offices and apartments.  The Project Development Statement for this project which warned of impacts on long distance views of Valletta was never published and no full Environment Planning Statement was ever conducted. The project was approved in a record four months since the application was validated in April.  A screening application was only presented a year ago.

The multi-storey, mixed-use commercial and residential development will be built on a triangular-shaped plot of land fronting Triq il-Gżira, Triq il-Rebħa and Triq Tas-Sliema and which housed the former United Garage building.

The 16-storey building will include three basement parking levels accommodating 125 car parking spaces, 695 square metres of landscaped public open space, a cafeteria, overlying office space and 10 residential units. The board imposed a planning gain of nearly €30,000 for the Gzira Local Council to use in environmental and urban improvement projects, traffic management, green transport and similar projects.

The project will include a public plaza which occupies 62% of the site at ground level.

But a a part of this open space is roofed over by the tower. In fact the non-roofed open space is slightly less than the 50% of the site dictated by the policy. A four storey development was already approved in 2012.

The project includes 125 parking spaces which is 28 more than required by project. The building will include a green wall. Shading studies show that shading will be limited to roofs of surrounding buildings.

A representative of the MEPA directorate confirmed that the Environment Protection Directorate had approved the measures taken by the developer in view of the concerns raised in the Project Development Statement.  One of the concerns raised by EPD was that on micro climate and wind conditions.  Other studies like that for the Townsquare Project in Siema contained detailed environmental studies including studies on traffic impact, pollution, wind conditions and land scape impact.

The meeting was not attended by any Gzira residents or local council representatives. No objections were raised by the public.

Photomontages show show the project will be moderately visible from Hastings Garden, Valletta.