Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1305625
JAMES DEBONO A road network is about to be ap- proved for the upcoming devel- opment of villas over 50,000sq.m of agricultural land inside the vil- lage of Madliena. The Planning Authority will give the green light to over 6,200sq.m of new roads, and just 1,885sq.m of public open space for the zoning of the villa project, which land is owned by Sciclunas Estates, the holding company of the Marquis Marcus Marshall and Baroness Christiane Ramsay Pergola. A heritage site in which cart ruts are found is also indicated in plans submitted for the road de- velopment. But the zoning appli- cation does not include details of the residential development ac- tually being proposed on the site, which is the size of seven football pitches. Residents objecting to the de- velopment, insist that the zoning application should set parame- ters for all development, to avoid a piecemeal approach. The application states that de- velopment is based on a specific policy for the site included in the local plan back in 2006. A final decision will be taken by the PA's Executive Council on 3 Novem- ber, after the case officer recom- mended approval. The site, bordered by Triq il- Madliena, Triq Esprit Barthet, Triq in-Nafra and Triq il-Militar is designated in the local plan as the "Central Madliena Opportu- nity Site". The Swieqi local council object- ed to the zoning application, in- sisting on "a clear picture of what will be built around the proposed roads". But the 2016 application foreseeing the residential devel- opment was withdrawn by the applicant. Originally the plan was with- drawn following strong oppo- sition by residents of the sur- rounding neighbourhoods and a negative report by the case officer, who concluded that as proposed the development did not respect the parameters set by the local plan in terms of layout, typology, density, amenity space and public access and land- scaped space. Moreover, the case officer also insisted that a zoning application for road works was required prior to the approval of the project. The site was extensively quar- ried in the past to create terracing for agricultural use, and includes a system of retaining walls (dwarf walls) which according to herit- age authorities merits preserva- tion and integration. The site al- so includes scheduled cart-ruts, as well as the belvedere, path and water fountain which were to be preserved and integrated into the proposed development. The Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage wants these fea- tures to be preserved, and called for a survey of existing wells and cisterns. The Madliena chapel, built in the late 19th century, is located just outside the develop- ment footprint and the SCH has called for a buffer zone to protect the chapel. The site is developable because it was included in both the 1988 temporary building plans and in the 2006 local plan, limited to "low-density and high quali- ty residential development" and developed in a "comprehensive manner". For instance, only detached two-storey villa development with a site coverage of 30% is per- missible at the edge of the site. Higher density dwellings – as much as four units in each block – can be permitted towards the centre of the site, providing they integrate with existing develop- ment in this area. A cluster of five shops can also be located at ground floor level. But 30% of the site area has to be landscaped with "generous foliage". While expressing no objec- tion to the roads since these will not have any impact on existing trees, the Environment and Re- sources Authority called for the inclusion of more public green space. But the planning directo- rate insists that the site has to be developed according to the local plan. Residents have called on the PA to change local plan policies to lessen the impact of devel- opment in the area in line with the government's repeated dec- larations on safeguarding green lungs in urban areas. 8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 NOVEMBER 2020 NEWS Roads to get green light for massive Madliena villa extension PA set to approve zoning for roads for 50,000 sq.m Madliena development The site is developable because it was included in both the 1988 temporary building plans and in the 2006 local plan, limited to "low-density and high quality residential development" KURT SANSONE MALTA'S campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2023 is expected to step up a gear next year with a budget allocation of €250,000. Malta is a candidate for one of two non-permanent seats up for grabs in the Western European and Other Regions group for the period 2023-2024. The vote at the UN takes place in June 2022 and so far, only Malta and Switzerland have put forward their bids for the two va- cancies. The Security Council is made up of five permanent members – the US, UK, France, Russia and China – and 10 rotating mem- bers elected from various region- al groups for two-year terms. Each member has a vote but the permanent members have veto powers. Malta was a member of the UN- SC only once in the period 1983- 1984. Four decades later Malta is again eyeing a seat on the impor- tant UN body with a campaign focussed on security, sustainabil- ity and solidarity. The priority areas will be oceans and climate, children in armed conflict, women, peace and secu- rity, and literacy The Security Council has pri- mary responsibility for the main- tenance of international peace and security and under the UN charter all member states are obliged to comply with its deci- sions. It is the body that authorises the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security. "Although we have just launched our logo and campaign priorities, there is another elec- tion for five UNSC seats next June, and Malta's election cam- paign is timed to come fully into force only after that," the foreign ministry said. Malta's Permanent Mission in New York has taken on a number of leadership roles within the UN to raise the country's profile, in- cluding the vice presidency of the 74th UN General Assembly and the chair of the Western Europe- an and Other Group meeting in December. Malta is also co-chair of the Group of Friends of the Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers. "While it is early days, indica- tions are good that our candida- ture, after gaining the necessary support from WEOG, will then assure a two-thirds majority vote in order to be elected to the UN Security Council," the ministry spokesperson said. There are 193 UN member states and Malta will need to obtain the support of 127 coun- tries. But Malta's election campaign will not involve "many expensive social events like concerts and re- ceptions" but will focus on issues. "Within the UN system, Malta is considered a principled nation with an excellent record in areas such as oceans, climate, gender issues and children in armed conflict," the spokes-person said. Apart from the Security Coun- cil campaign money allocated in the Budget, the government will also be investing in the pur- chase of a new embassy premises in New York and the team there will be increased gradually over the next year, the ministry said. The logo used for Malta's elec- tion campaign was designed by MCAST design student Andrea Camilleri, who won a competi- tion organised by the ministry. Budget boost for Malta Security Council bid