Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1122280
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MAY 2019 JAMES DEBONO A proposed nine-storey high, 113-apartment block pro- posed in the car park of the former Trade Fair in Naxxar will introduce "a dominant, large building" noticeable when viewing Naxxar and Mosta from Mdina. The visual impact of this change was described as "a large change" which will have a "major significance", a visual impact assessment presented to the Planning Authority said. Also of major significance is the impact of views towards Mosta and Naxxar from Triq l-Ghansal Ikhal, where the de- velopment rises "much higher than the existing skyline and draws the eye to it." Another significant change will be in- troduced to the view from Qawra across the sea. In this case the new development will screen the Naxxar parish church belfry tower. Visuals from Triq il-Kartaginizi in Mosta also show the develop- ment rising above the skyline, but this view is not considered as a sensitive one. The most drastic impact will be felt from closer-range views from Triq Il-Markiz Gi- useppe Scicluna, where the project will rise above the existing buildings, taking up a relatively extensive part of the skyscape in this view. But from this viewpoint the walls of the 17.5m development approved in a planning con- trol application in 2016, will screen the nine-storey block. After considering the pho- tomontages, the Planning Au- thority's design advisory com- mittee expressed its concern on the impact of the proposal on both the local and wider context, noting that the site lies on high ground just out- side the Urban Conservation Area. It has asked for visuals showing the impact on short- distance views. More than 250 objections have been presented in the past days. The objectors noted that the area in question already serves as an open space that is frequented on a daily basis by families and children. "The applicants have done nothing in their design plans that will serve to give some- thing back to the community which their development will impact, nor have they planned to provide open spaces for recreation," objectors said. "What is provided is simply large passageways on ground level… areas which are un- likely to serve any use to ex- isting residents and which will most likely be touted as a noise nuisance to the offices and residential units in the development itself." Residents also referred to other large-scale develop- ments in the area which are currently being considered by the authorities. "Although these are separate applications, each of these developments (including the current one) should be con- sidered with due regard to the other developments." NEWS Objections mounting in Naxxar fight-back over nine-storey project 113-apartment block on Trade Fair grounds will have major impact on views from Mdina, visual impact report says The project (left) as seen from Triq Markiz Scicluna in Naxxar just outside the former Trade Fair grounds, from Mosta (top), and (below and bottom left), from Mdina "The applicants have done nothing in their design plans that will serve to give something back to the community which their development will impact, nor have they planned to provide open spaces for recreation"