Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1104601
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 APRIL 2019 JAMES DEBONO THE Gozitan developer be- hind the Mercury House high-rise in Paceville has set his eyes on a 13-storey tower block in Qormi. Joseph Portelli is proposing the tower block – which he is describing as a 'medium rise' – on the triangular piece of land bordered by Qormi road and Valletta road, and Triq l- Erba Qaddisin. The development will rise to a maximum of 47 metres above street level and in- cludes three receded floors. Qormi is not included among the localities identi- fied for high-rise develop- ment, which is defined by policy as any building over 10 floors high. Medium-rise developments are defined by policy as buildings under 10 floors. But the development is be- ing proposed in the vicin- ity of Mriehel, which was in- cluded in the high-rise zone by the government at the lat- est stage after the conclusion of public consultation. The high-rise policy failed to de- fine the exact boundaries of the sites proposed for high- rise development. The new project will be lo- cated a short distance away from an approved DIY retail centre opposite the Qormi park-and-ride. The PA is currently revising the local plan to allow development on this site to rise to 11 metres above Qormi road, and re- move the obligation to devel- op a landscaped public space on its roof. Portelli's tower development will comprise the excavation of the site for a three-storey car park for 183 cars, a show- room below street level and a 13-storey office block. The site was already pro- posed for a similar develop- ment by Federico Rossi, who claimed ownership of the land. In the latest applica- tion Portelli declares being the sole owner of the land in question. The site has already been subjected to an archaeological investigation ordered by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, which entailed the removal of soil. An old farm- house found on the same site will be restored and retained according to the developer's plans. The Qormi local coun- cil had objected to the previ- ous application, warning of the visual and traffic impact the office block will have on the entrance to Qormi. NEWS NOTICE BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION European Parliament and Local Council Elections – May 2019 Nominations of Candidates The Electoral Commissioners notify that they will receive online nominations through the website: www.electoral.gov.mt by candidates for the forthcoming European Parliament and Local Council Elections Online nominations: From: Tuesday, 16th April, 2019 - 9.00 a.m. Until: Monday, 22nd April, 2019 - 7.00 p.m. (Malta time) The Electoral Commissioners also notify that they will be in attendance to receive nominations at their Offices in the Counting Hall Complex at Naxxar and at the I.D. Card Office at St Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo. Office: On: Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th, Saturday 20th, Monday 22nd April, 2019. Between: 9.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. & Between: 3.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. Application forms for prospective candidates may be obtained from the Office of the Electoral Commission. Forms may also be downloaded from the Electoral Commission's website at https://electoral.gov.mt/Elections/ApplicationFormsEN www.electoral.gov.mt Mercury House developer eyes Qormi 13-storey tower block Left: Mercury House developer Joseph Portelli, and top: the site in Qormi just off the roundabout near the Pavi supermarket and Maltapost Area not scheduled for high-rise proposed for 13-storey office block by Mercury House developer