Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1309486
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 NOVEMBER 2020 NEWS B'XOGĦLI SALVAJT ĦAJJA ISSIEĦEB FIL-KORP TAL-PULIZIJA JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority has fi- nally acknowledged the need of a traffic impact assessment to avoid a "blocking back effect" on major junctions by prospective development in Swatar. Originally the PA had exclud- ed a development brief to set the parameters for development of a commercial and residential vil- lage on existing farmland. Developers have now been in- structed to prepare studies as- sessing the traffic impact of the controversial zoning application over an area the size of 15 foot- ball pitches. The assessment has to include estimates of the trips generated by the new development, which includes both residential and commercial development, de- termine the amount of parking spaces required and assess the impact on the carrying capacity of existing junction. It has also to assess the likely environmen- tal impact arising from the traffic generated by the proposed devel- opment, and explore alternative modes of transport and green travel. The area is a green lung in the heavily congested area, which means its development would eliminate one of the few rural enclaves separating Swatar from Msida. Development will rise to 22m and occupy 70% of the present site, which presently consists mostly of agricultural land, some rural buildings, a cow farm, as well as residential development near St Martin's College. The landowners want to devel- op a commercial zone along the bypass which includes a disused old quarry. Plans also foresee the redevelopment of the school it- self, which will include students' accommodation facilities. Tour- ism and leisure development is being proposed in all zones ex- cept the school zone. The landowners include S.C. & Co Limited, PD Finance, Paul Vella's P&S Ltd, Anton Camill- eri's Camcas Ltd, Malta Develop- ers Association president Sandro Chetcuti, entrepreneur James Barbara and several other indi- vidual owners. The Lands Au- thority owns part of the site. The enormous site is one of the largest areas added to the de- velopment zones in 2006 and is bounded by Triq Dun Karm by- pass, Triq is-Swatar, Triq Indri Grima and Triq Mgr Innocenz Zammit. Apart from extensive agricultural fields, the area also includes a number of old farm- houses, rubble walls and some dwellings. The local plan stipulates that the PA should prepare a devel- opment brief for the area before private development is even con- sidered. But in 2019 a spokesperson for the PA had told MaltaToday that it had no intention of issu- ing such a zoning plan for public consultation, and that it will in- stead consider the zoning appli- cation presented by the owners of the site. The local plan states that the development brief should con- sider "low traffic-generating" employment uses in the area with "preference given to ancillary uses and related to the existing Mater Dei Hospital and the Uni- versity", and a limited amount of student housing, and expanding the existing private school. Traffic study required due to development's 'blocking-back effect' Swatar development requires traffic studies The area is a green lung in the heavily congested area, which means its development would eliminate one of the few rural enclaves separating Swatar from Msida