Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1269236
14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 JULY 2020 COMMERCIAL THE Planning Authority has published a proposed Develop- ment Brief for the derelict site around the former Jerma Palace Hotel and its immediate envi- rons in Marsascala. The Brief which is being issued for public consultation seeks to provide a planning framework for any future comprehensive develop- ment within this area. The brief significantly low- ered the overall develop- ment density to a maximum of 65,000sqm, this after the Authority took on-board rep- resentations submitted during the initial phase of public con- sultation. In the proposed ob- jectives that were to guide the brief, the overall development density could reach a maxi- mum of 100,000sqm. Assistant Director for Policy Formulation at the PA, Per- it Joseph Scalpello said "The proposed brief is seeking a comprehensive planning solu- tion for an urban coastal area in dire need of regeneration. Although the locality of Mar- sascala has experienced con- siderable population growth over the past decades, a down- turn in the hotel accommoda- tion sector within this part of the Island has deprived it of altogether benefitting off the tourism sector." He added, "in line with the local plan for this area, this brief seeks to support the regeneration of this site in Marsascala for high-quality tourism development." The site area which forms part of this proposed brief has been divided into four dis- tinct zones. Zone A which predominately covers the site area on which the Jerma Pal- ace Hotel was built in the early 80s, accounts for 33% of the overall site. Within this zone, the mix and scale of uses will be apportioned for tourism accommodation pur- poses (33,000sqm), residential (26,000sqm), food and bever- age facilities (4,200sqm) and retail (1,800sqm). The comprehensive high quality design should seek to create a series of building blocks lying on a podium em- bracing a central plaza, inter- mixed with landscaped public open spaces. This should allow permeability and public access through and around the site and re-introduce the strong visual link between the historic St Thomas tower and the sea. Uninterrupted public access across the site to the foreshore is to be provided through ade- quate public pathways. A building not exceeding 32m above sea level may be consid- ered. Here, the brief encourag- es the introduction of Green Infrastructure in the overall design of the project to achieve environmental sustainability. The foreshore which is ear- marked as Zone B (35%) is to remain in its natural state with no development whatsoever and without inhibition for the public to access the remain- ing foreshore area outside this zone. Zone C encapsulates the scheduled Grade 1 building of St Thomas Tower. This zone accounts for 26% of the brief's site area. The brief calls for the restoration of the tower, towards its future public use; and the rehabilitation of the ditch and the glacis. The gla- cis shall be rehabilitated and made accessible to the public. The costs will be covered by a planning gain which is being imposed in the brief. Zone D covers the public streets which shall ensure ac- cess to private property outside the brief area. The proposed development brief together with the respec- tive maps may be viewed on the Authority's website www. pa.org.mt/consultation. Rep- resentations are to be made in writing and sent through e-mail address: smlp_consulta- tion@pa.org.mt. Submissions on the proposed development brief are to reach the Authority by 29th July 2020. Comprehensive plan to regenerate derelict site of former Jerma Palace Hotel