Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1286060
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 9 SEPTEMBER 2020 NEWS More noise and traffic as supermarkets loom on Ta' Qali rezoning JAMES DEBONO THE designation of the Ta' Qali national park as a quiet area will be impossible, if the Planning Authority forges ahead with a re- zoning to change part of the area into a commercial development. Malta's Environment and Re- sources Authority questioned the wisdom of permitting supermar- kets and retail outlets on a run- down industrial area next to the Ta' Qali national park, warning the commercialization of the ar- ea will "hinder the possible desig- nation of Ta' Qali as a quiet area" under the requirements of the Environmental Noise Directive. ERA is currently updating Mal- ta's Noise Action Plan, which should include the designation of "relatively quiet areas" in both urban areas and in open coun- tryside. "Quiet area" is a concept used in landscape planning to highlight areas with good sound quality and limited noise distur- bance. ERA's noise maps already show that traffic noise along the roads surrounding Ta' Qali, such as Vjal L-Istadium Nazzjonali, is al- ready substantial and having an adverse impact on the adjacent recreational area, with noise lev- els varying between 50 and 64dB. The addition of new commercial entities within the surroundings could further increase these noise levels. The proposal to include super- markets, schools and storage fa- cilities in the list of uses permit- ted on the industrial area near the United States embassy, was made in submissions by business own- ers in the area last year after the government proposed rezoning the area to permit offices. The Planning Authority argues that commercial development is more compatible with the neigh- bouring national park, than the present industrial use of the site. In the latest revisions published on Thursday, the PA took on board a number of ERA propos- als, like restricting road infra- structure to the boundary of the present industrial zone and en- suring a green belt to screen the development from the country- side. But ERA's main criticism relat- ed to the change of use of the area has been largely ignored. In its submissions submitted in October 2019, the ERA pointed out that the proposed rezoning of an industrial zone in Ta' Qali into a commercial area which can include supermarkets, medical clinics, schools and storage will increase traffic generated to and within the area of Ta' Qali. "This will result in an increase in noise levels and air pollution with ad- verse impacts on the nearby na- tional recreational centre," ERA warned. To mitigate this impact, ERA has proposed noise threshold lev- els in different areas of Ta' Qali and the creation of a small bus terminus and bicycle racks. But ERA is concerned that the proposed change in land use designation will reduce that much needed land intended for industrial uses. "This may con- tribute towards the displacement of future development pressures for certain industrial uses to- wards rural areas with conse- quential adverse impacts on the countryside, rural character and landscape." Increased heights The rezoning of the area also comes with an increase in allow- able heights from 10m today to 17.5m. Development fronting the area that is outside the de- velopment zone, will have a fa- cade height of 8m. Development on the perimeter of the rezoned area facing the embassy and the car park, will have a facade height of 11m. Development can still be terraced up to 17.5m, but a visual impact assessment to assess the impact on Mdina views will be required. One major change to origi- nal plans is the introduction of a landscape buffer to serve as a green belt, consisting mainly of trees and shrubs aimed at mit- igating the visual impact of any development abutting the ODZ area and Mdina views, The Kamra tal-Periti had shot down the proposed revision as one directed more towards ap- peasing private landowners and facilitating their interests than achieving "any planning gains or safeguarding the national interest and that of the public at large." The Chamber said that while a number of commercial uses were being allowed, no allocation was made for sports facilities. The Chamber also lamented the lack studies assessing traffic impacts, parking provision requirements and environmental impacts. State Advocate Victoria Buttigieg is selected for Attorney General MATTHEW VELLA MALTA'S State Attorney Victoria Buttigieg, 43, has been appointed State Prosecutor, or Attorney General. She is Malta's first female Attorney General. The one-time AG employee was made Malta's first State Advocate in a separation of the AG's office between its primary role as State Prosecutor and the role of the gov- ernment's legal advisor back in De- cember 2019. Buttigieg was one of three candi- dates for the post vacated by former AG Peter Grech, together with dep- uty AG Philip Galea Farrugia and University of Malta senior lecturer Chris Soler. The AG was selected for the first time after a public call for applications. Buttigieg was selectd by an inde- pendent selection committee pre- sided by three retired judges. Prime Minister Robert Abela accepted the recommendation from the commit- tee, which was confirmed by the President of the Republic. Former AG Peter Grech occupied the post of AG for 10 years. This was the first time that a new AG was appointed following the for- mal separation of the office's duties. Buttigieg graduated in laws from the University in Malta in 2001, and obtained a Masters in Financial Ser- vices. In 2007, she joined the Attorney General's office where she worked as Assistant Attorney General in litigation, civil, administrative and constitutional matters. Victoria Buttigieg