Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1005614
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 JULY 2018 4 NEWS JAMES DEBONO THE approval of the Fortina and Mer- cury house high-rise developments in Sliema and St Julian's respectively has rendered the "skyline less sensitive to the changes brought about by tall build- ings," thus decreasing the visual impact of the 37-storey tower proposed in Pem- broke on the site formerly occupied by the Institute for Tourism Studies. This emerges from the latest update to the Environment Impact Assessment for the City Centre project proposed in Pembroke by db Group. The update also refers to an 8-metre decrease in the height of the tower and the removal of a proposed wedding hall on top of the hotel. While referring to the approval of the Mercury house and Fortina projects, the latest EIA update does not refer to the decision of the Environment and Plan- ning Review Tribunal to revoke the per- mit for a 38-storey tower in Sliema on May 3 which is still included in the lat- est photomontages assessing the visual impact of the City Centre development. The memo presented on July 3 states that the original photo montages had not taken account of the two high-rise developments approved by the PA in the past months. But while new photomontages pre- sented in July 2 include the two new high-rises, the Townsquare project is still included. Gauci's report contends that the Mer- cury house project renders the impact of the db tower's impact on the skyline from St Julian's "insignificant to low." With regard to the impact on the sky- line when viewed from Marsamxett in Valletta "the domination of the Town- square development and the addition of the Mercury house development" render the impact of the db tower "moderate." But the impact on the landscape re- mains high on views from Pembroke, St George's Bay and Dragonara. The new report refers to slight chang- es to the original plans. The 37-storey tower has been reduced by eight metres through the "partial removal of the resi- dential tower's crown" and adjustments to the height of single floors. More significant changes have been made to the hotel development, which has seen the number of rooms slashed from 464 to 438 and the removal of a rooftop wedding hall and restaurant. The changes will result in a 4,500sq.m reduction in the floor area of the project. "This will result in the reduction of traffic loads during weekend evenings peak hours" and a reduction in noise pollution and emissions according to the EIA update. In May, Prime Minister Joseph Mus- cat had hinted at a possible compro- mise to assuage popular opposition, including that of the Labour led Pem- broke council. A "good compromise" for undertak- ing the proposed development on the former Institute for Tourism site in Pembroke, by the db group, should be possible, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had said, emphasising that such a pro- ject had to be done sensibly and in a way which respected the neighbourhood. Tower games: How one high-rise justifies another Mercury house and Fortina high- rises will reduce visual impact of db tower, EIA coordinator claims, ignoring revocation of Townsquare permit MATTHEW AGIUS A man who organised an illegal lottery and stole cash from a residence has been jailed. 37-year-old Chris Farrugia from Zabbar was arraigned last week by inspectors Chantelle Casha and Roderick Attard on charges of organising an illegal lottery, stealing cash from a residence and handling stolen goods. Farrugia had stolen the cash from an elderly man whose door he had knocked while trying to sell him lottery tickets. He was not assisted by a lawyer during his arraignment yesterday and had appeared confused, lead- ing to his guilty plea being reject- ed by the court. However, although a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, Farrugia insisted on changing his plea. When his case was called yesterday, Magistrate Ian Far- rugia heard the man confirm his guilty plea. The court took into considera- tion the man's early guilty plea, although it pointed out that this did not give an automatic right to a reduction in punishment. "At the end of the day, the court must apply and inflict a punish- ment or sanction which it feels would be the most ideal for the circumstances of the case," said the magistrate. "Without hesitation, the court declares the crimes imputed to the accused are serious. It is also worrying to see that the accused did what he did during the opera- tive period of two suspended sen- tences which he had received on 10 January 2018." The defence's argument was that the accused needed help as he had no direction in his life, noted the court. The magistrate said there was nothing wrong with this submission, but added that from now on it was up to the accused to help himself and choose to change his life. "If the accused asks for help, this should be given to him," said the court, but added that "this court makes it clear that it also has an obligation to protect society." Farrugia was handed an 18-month prison sentence, to- gether with a €1,000 fine for the crimes, to which were added three months from his two suspended sentences, bringing the total up to 21 months. The accused's lawyer gave notice of appeal. Inspectors Chantelle Casha and Roderick Attard prosecuted. Lawyer Dustin Camilleri was le- gal aid to Farrugia. Man who organised illegal lottery jailed for 21 months YANNICK PACE THE Water Services Corpora- tion (WSC) has issued a €5 mil- lion tender as part of its strategy to upgrade Malta's sewage net- work and treatment infrastruc- ture. In a statement, the WSC said the village of Dingli was served through a pumping station and a temporary catchment where waste water is collected and later pumped towards the main network. It said that its latest initia- tive would allow the station to be bypassed, with waste water proceeding "via gravity mains towards the main Rabat deep gallery". Moreover, it said that "unconnected residents" in the area would also be served in the process. "The project has substantial benefits including energy use and odour reduction. The pro- ject will also result in less sewage bowser use on the road network of the said areas," the WSC said. The corporation's CEO, Rich- ard Bilocca, said that the project was in line with the WSC's strat- egy to put its customers' ambi- tion first. "It will improve the service being offered and limit incon- venience, whilst also reaching such aims with higher energy efficiency performance," said Bilocca. Finally, it said that the project would be led by the WSC and "may be" co-financed through cohesion funds. The corporation reiterated that the sewage infrastructure was very complex and delicate and such infrastructure was damaged through the improper use of the urban sewer system. It was, therefore, very important that only human toilet waste and degradable toilet paper were discharged in the system. Any suspected foul play or problems with the sewer can be reported to the corporation on freephone: 8007 6400; e-mail: customercare@wsc.com.mt; website live chat: www.wsc.com. mt; or on the corporation's so- cial media. €5 million tender for sewage infrastructure upgrade issued