Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1130632
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 JUNE 2019 JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority has approved a pencil-kind of development that will rise 12 metres above the houses forming part of the Ta' Xbiex housing estate, overturning a decision refusing a very simi- lar development two years ago. In December 2016, the PA's planning commission chaired by Elisabeth Ellul turned down Alfred Stubbings's ap- plication to develop three duplex apartments over six storeys instead of a two-sto- rey building in the Ta' Xbiex housing estate. On that occasion, the PA case officer had recom- mended a refusal because while conforming to building heights in the area, the pro- posed building did not respect the local context in terms of appearance and rhythm of the streetscape as dictated by the 2015 design guidelines, which demand a "contextual ap- proach" to development. But in May 2019, the same commission approved the development of three apart- ments and a duplex apart- ment – also over six floors on the same site. This time around, the com- mission was chaired by ar- chitect Simon Saliba, who as a board member had voted against the development two years ago along with Mariello Spiteri, that has also changed his vote. Ellul, who now chairs the board responsible for ODZ permits, is no longer a member of this board. The other difference is that a new case officer has called for the approval of the devel- opment. The case officer now ar- gued that since the lower two floors "have floor height con- tinuity with the two adjacent buildings" the proposed over- all and street façade height is considered justifiable. The house in question forms part of a row of similar houses built along two sides at Triq il-Maskli as part of a govern- ment housing project. The house in question is now pri- vately owned. In an appeal against this ap- proval, Ta' Xbiex residents are insisting that the homo- geneity of the streetscape was one of the most impor- tant aspects of living in a nice neighbourhood, something acknowledged in the 2015 design guidelines. "This prin- ciple was endorsed by a pre- vious Planning Commission just over two years ago under the same planning regime in its refusal of another applica- tion on the same site," they said. They described the new de- velopment as "a pencil de- velopment that creates two blank party walls" rising 12m above existing walls. "It will simply cut the area in two parts, creating a very evident alien visual intrusion and cer- tainly not in conformity with the vertical rhythm of the area." They also complained that the development will block access to solar energy and asked whether the govern- ment had consented to the development, in view of the fact that the area had been originally developed for social housing – and surely not for speculation. Residents in the area had already signed a petition against the development be- fore it was approved in April. "We have lived in this area for the past 45 years, most of us are elderly and sick, and this development will have a neg- ative effect on our life," the petition signed by nearly 50 residents said. NEWS The Malta Development Bank (MDB) is launching the Further Studies Made Affordable (FSMA) Financial Instrument (FI) that assists eligible students in further developing their potential through education. The FI is financed under the Operational Programme II – "Investing in human capital to create more opportunities and promote the wellbeing of society" which is co-funded by the European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020. The FSMA FI initiative is aimed at supporting the development of human capital and meeting the financing needs of students seeking to pursue a full time or part time study programme. The objective of this Call for Service (the "Call") is to select one or more eligible Financial Institution/s licensed to operate under the Banking Act, Chapter 371 of the Laws of Malta for the implementation of the FSMA FI. The Financial Institution/s shall benefit from capital relief and loss protection via the provision of a capped guarantee on a portfolio of loans. The Financial Institutions applying under the Call should express their interest by completing and submitting the Call for Service documentation by noon of 26th July 2019. An information session to go through the details of the call is scheduled for the 17th of June 2019. To register send an email on info@mdb.org.mt More information and the relevant documentation can be downloaded from the MDB website: www.mdb.org.mt Call for Service for the implementation of the Further Studies Made Affordable (FSMA) Financial Instrument. Call reference number: MDB/001/2019 Rejected in 2016, approved in 2019: residents irked by PA's U-turn on pencil development that will alter streetscape of Ta' Xbiex housing estate | SUNDAY • 16 JUNE 2019 il-Maskli as part of a govern- ment housing project. The house in question is now pri- vately owned. In an appeal against this ap- proval, Ta' Xbiex residents are insisting that the homo- geneity of the streetscape U-turn on Ta' Xbiex pencil structure The two-storey streetscape is now threatened by 'pencil' development