Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1041944
NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 OCTOBER 2018 JAMES DEBONO THE historical Tal-Kaptan tower in Qrendi faces the onslaught of new development on an adjacent piece of agricultural land includ- ed in the extension of building zones in 2006. Applicant Anthony Cardona has requested the Planning Au- thority to set the parameters for development on a 'rationalisa- tion' site of 18,400sq.m. While development in the im- mediate vicinity of the tower is limited to 11-13 metres' height, the rest of the site is identified for 17.5m, or five-floor high devel- opment. The Qrendi local council has called for the creation of a buffer zone around the octagonal tow- er, which enjoys the highest level of protection and whose grounds extend into the rationalisation site where new development is being proposed. The Knights of St John probably built the unique defensive tower in the 16th or 17th century. Mayor David Schembri wants the creation of a transitional zone between the locality's urban conservation area, which is char- acterised by one- to two-storey buildings. He also expressed concern that as proposed the de- velopment does not include any open spaces. Democratic Party MP Marlene Farrugia is the actual owner of the tower, which is part of her resi- dence, and she has also objected to the neighbouring develop- ment through detailed planning objections outlined by architect Tara Cassar as well as a Heritage Impact Assessment prepared by architect Edward Said. According to Said the develop- ment will result in the total ob- struction to views of the tower from the fields while it will also obliterate views of Siggiewi from the tower itself. The site earmarked for devel- opment also includes a wellhead, which could possibly be the tip of an extensive water supply sys- tem, and a large number of rub- ble walls. Other residents have pointed out that as proposed the devel- opment will result in having two massive blocks of apartments five floors high between the one- or two-storey UCA and the near- by hamlet, which lies outside de- velopment zones, which consists of one- and two-storey buildings. MP's tower home in Qrendi risks being engulfed by development JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Author- ity has clamped down on a Mellieha campsite that was approved in 2010, with an enforcement order on ex- tensions that have impacted the surrounding protected area, and for not imple- menting a landscaping plan approved in 2013. Aerial photos of the site suggest the illegalities took place between 2012 and 2016. Apart from an extension of the campsite, the list of illegalities reported by the PA's enforcement unit in- clude the erection of "static caravans" some of which are being used as a fixed resi- dence. A waste disposal area was also developed outside the site boundary. An illegal extension was carried out on what had originally been designated as a landscaped carpark. Construction material was also thrown onto the adja- cent garigue to form a road access. Campsite owner Vincent Vella had his request for a 4,000sq.m extension at Mel- lieha's l-Ahrax turned down in 2016. The application was later withdrawn. Originally, the campsite was approved in 2010 de- spite the strong objection of the then environment pro- tection directorate, precur- sor to the Environment and Resources Authority. Mellieha campsite makes illegal extension 68 • 17 • 42 • 10 • 9 6 • 56 • 32 20-10-2018 Draw No: 746