Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1088108
7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 MARCH 2019 JAMES DEBONO THE area formerly occupied by the Trade Fair grounds of Naxxar is now subject to three individual projects that will see 675 apartments added to the town. A new development pro- moted by Charles Camilleri – whose interests included the Mistra Ridge project and the Jerma Palace development – will bring 64 apartments and seven penthouses in a five- floor building on a field by Pjazzi Celsi. Camilleri owns the 3,361sq.m site, which is locat- ed right outside Naxxar's ur- ban conservation area where development is limited to just two and three storeys. A further 491 apartments have already been proposed on the Trade Fair grounds owned by Sciclunas' Estates, the holding company belong- ing to the heirs of the Marquis John Scicluna, who run the Palazzo Parisio home and gar- dens. The plans originally included towers rising to nine storeys, with conference areas and a 1,400sq.m supermarket, and a car park for 1,100 vehicles, raising public concerns over traffic problems in the area. Indeed, the development is likely to generate 2,635 daily car trips to and from the new development. Naxxar is al- ready served by a supermarket inside the village, and is lo- cated within driving distance of three others in Mosta and Birkirkara. Yet another application is an eight-storey tower for 113 apartments proposed by SPTT Properties on the nearby trade fair carpark. The company was formed in 2018 by vari- ous commercial groups: they include Dutch business group Wygron Beheer, Malta prop- erty group Belair – one of the driving forces behind Gzira's 17 East high-rise, hotelier Ian Decesare's Sonnet Inv, Ab Ini- tio Limited, JND properties, L.A. Developments, J&J Hold- ings, IN Space, as well as other independent property owners and also legal consultants. Together the three develop- ments, which have yet to be approved, would result in the construction of 675 apart- ments. The local plan approved in 2006 states that the area where the 71 apartments are being proposed can be devel- oped as housing units. Previ- ously this site had been desig- nated as a "white area", where no development could take place. In 2017 the Planning Authority approved develop- ment parameters for the site, setting a building height limi- tation of 17.5m and removing the obligation set in the local plan to develop the area in a comprehensive way, paving the way for separate applica- tions on different plots. On that occasion the Naxxar local council had objected, noting that a height of 17.5m was not appropriate in close vicinity to the urban conser- vation area. Assault on Naxxar: 675 new apartments seek green light Former Trade Fair grounds now have three separate projects seeking planning approval POSTS OF ADMINISTRATION OFFICERS AT THE SUPERINTENDENCE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage is inviting applications for posts in the grade of Administration Officers. The selected candidates will be employed for a fixed term on a full-time basis and will be required to work for a minimum of forty hours per week. Applicants must be in possession of a recognized qualification at MQF level 5 with minimum of 60 ECTS/ECVETS in Management or Business Administration, or Accounts. Letters of application, including a detailed CV, should be addressed to; The Administration (Jobsplus Permit 30/2019) Superintendence for Cultural Heritage St, Christopher Str. Valletta and should be submitted by not later than Friday, 22nd March 2019 at 13.00 hours. Together the three developments, which have yet to be approved, would result in the construction of 675 apartments