Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1276031
06.08.2020 10 TOWNSCAPES Large project in St Julian's village core rejected by Planning Commission THE Planning Commission unanimously reject- ed a planning application which sought to con- struct 54 residential units, two retail outlets and underlying parking facilities within a large va- cant plot which fronts two parallel streets in the Urban Conservation Area (UCA) of St. Julian's. The Commission strongly objected in princi- ple to this project and cited that the proposed massing and height will compromise the char- acter of St. Julian's village core area. Although in the Local Plan this site is ear- marked as an 'Opportunity Site', the Commis- sion pointed out that any future development must respect the surrounding urban environ- ment. The Commission also noted that the res- idential project will create an internal develop- ment which is not permissible in UCAs. The demolition of an existing townhouse to access the site from Triq it-Telgħa ta' Birkirkara was also considered to be unacceptable for the Commission. Although, along the processing of the applica- tion, the commercial element was reduced con- siderably from the proposal, the project still re- tained a high number of 1-bedroom dwellings. This policy only allows for there to be up to a maximum of 20% of the total number of dwell- ings, which is equivalent to 11 units. The project was proposing 33 units. PA Commission turns down re-development of dilapidated structure on Wied Ghomor valley side THE Planning Commission turned down a planning application which sought to replace a dilapidated structure into a luxurious residential property on a site which serves as a buffer zone to the Wied Għomor valley, limits of Swieqi. e Planning Commission agreed with the Planning Directorate's recommendation that there was insufficient evidence that the residen- tial use of the original building is legally estab- lished and covered by development permission. e Commission cited that the proposed building set on two floors with an underlying basement considerably exceeds the total floor area of the previous one storey building. is would result in a negative visual impact, in an area of ecological importance where considera- ble site engineering is involved. e works were to also include the construc- tion of a swimming pool and other landscaping works. Both the Swieqi Local Council and the Envi- ronment and Resources Authority (ERA) ob- jected to this application. In March 2015, the Planning Authority had already refused the planning permission of an- other development application on the same site. For further information about the Planning Authority, one can visit www.pa.org.mt