Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1303831
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 28 OCTOBER 2020 COMMERCIAL e Planning Authority has been guided by the Government to initiate the planning process to annul the building height limitations that are currently set for developments in the industrial parks of Imrieħel and Marsa. To sustain economic growth, attract new investment and create new and bet- ter employment opportunities, the need to address the shortage of space for in- dustrial and business uses is essential. e proposed objectives to introduce non-numeric, urban design policies to guide the assessment of building heights sets the ball rolling to not merely address this issue, but to do so in a sustainable manner that strikes a balance between optimizing the space available whilst re- specting the environment and the com- munities that live and work within. e proposed objectives to the partial review of the South Malta Local Plan (policy SMMR 1) and the Central Malta Local Plan (policy CG14, as amended by planning control application PC57/10 of 2012) may be downloaded from the Au- thority's website www.pa.org.mt. Submis- sions may be sent via email on industry. review@pa.org.mt and must be received by 30th October 2020. e Authority has also commenced the process to review the zoning of a site in Triq il-Marloċċ, Zabbar. e objective is to enable the implemen- tation of a green urban open space pro- ject within the area. e proposal is for the zoning of a site currently made up of a road space junc- tion between Triq il-Marlocc, Triq San Guzepp and Triq Salvu Astarita, Zabbar, as a public open space, while a planned green open space close by will be rezoned into a site for terraced housing. is proposed objective comes with the guarantee that no additional financial burden on public finances will be nec- essary and that the amendment will not prejudice proper traffic circulation and public parking provisions. e proposed objectives to the partial review of the South Malta Local Plan may be downloaded from the Authority's web- site www.pa.org.mt. Submissions may be sent to smlp_con- sultation@pa.org.mt, and must be re- ceived by 30th October 2020. PA starts process to optimise space in industrial parks e former residence of Franġisk Portelli, which is situated along Triq il-Għarb in Għarb, Gozo, has been granted special protection by the Planning Authority as a Grade 2 building. e property is being protected for its architectural, historical, and social significance. Franġisk Portelli was a right- eous Gozitan man who in 1883, together with Karmni Grima, gave testimony to having heard the voice of the Blessed Virgin Mary coming from a painting calling them to intercede for others. e painting was in a small rural chapel known as Ta'Pinu and dedicated to the Assumption. Following the mi- raculous healing of his mother, the devotion to the 'Madonna Ta' Pinu' grew rapidly. Soon af- ter, plans were put in place to build a majestic sanctuary to honour the Virgin Mary. Portel- li, who was a member of the lay ird Order of the Franciscan Capuchins, died on February 4, 1926, aged 75. A monument in memory of Franġisk Portelli stands in the square outside the sanctuary. Franġisk Portelli's former res- idence formed part of a cluster of traditional vernacular build- ings that were synonymous with humble dwellings within rural settings. e building pertains to a common typology that was in use during the 18th and 19th century. Built in two phases; the older part of the building faces Triq l-Għarb and is character- ised by traditional features, in- cluding low doorways, lack of apertures especially at ground floor, a 'setaħ' and a fine open stone balcony supported by ma- sonry corbels. Frangisk Portelli's Gharb residence given protection status