Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1327039
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 JANUARY 2021 NEWS DB project: major test for new normal Facing strong opposition from NGOs spearheaded by Moviment Graffitti and three local councils and over 5,800 objections, Silvio Debono's DB Group presented new plans reducing the maxi- mum height of their City Centre project from 38 to two 17 storeys and a 12-storey hotel (down from 17). The original permit was re- voked by the law courts after a PA board member involved in the re- al estate business was revealed to have a conflict of interest when voting for the project. An un- precedented crowdfunding cam- paign made the court decision possible. In April 2020, the height was reduced to 31 storeys from 38, but this did not defuse the opposition, with the Labour-led Pembroke council reiterating its stance against the development. The developers' PR blitz claims they have "listened and acted", with changes that could reflect a changed political climate follow- ing the downfall of the Muscat administration. Ironically, imag- es of the monstrosity approved by the PA back in 2018 are now be- ing used to highlight the reduced visual impact of the project. But as proposed, the project will still include approximately the same number of apartments and an increased built-up footprint with the addition of a second tower. Moreover, other high-rise pro- jects like Mercury House and the 14 East developments saw ad- ditions in height or scale in suc- cessive permits. The project now depends on the approval of a new tunnel passing under a Natura 2000 site along Triq il-Mediter- ran in Pembroke. In the absence of this government-built tunnel, the project would result in a ma- jor traffic bottleneck. Naxxar high-rise: Waiting for new plans Again reflecting the changed landscape post-Muscat, in No- vember 2020 the PA board asked the proponents of a 10-storey block in Naxxar for new plans. The project's 'frontman' Jean Borg warned residents he could "build the whole area… like a government housing estate" if he does not get the tower block approved. The project is one of three on the former Trade Fair grounds. PA board chairman Vince Cassar – who previously criticised the suitability of high- rise in this area – asked the Naxx- ar developers whether they were willing to change plans in view of widespread opposition. A social impact assessment shows 74% of Naxxar is against the 113-res- idential unit block, which will have a 253-space underground garage, together with supermar- ket, restaurants, offices, day-care centre and gymnasium. Despite the widespread opposition, the PA's executive chairman Martin Saliba defended the project as the result of months of discussions with the developers, and warned the area will face the same traffic impact with a conventional de- velopment that lacks open spac- es. "We are going towards some- thing innovative, rather than the usual mediocrity," Saliba said, de- scribing the project as balanced. Both the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and the PA's own cultural heritage advisory Awaiting verdict Seven planning decisions to watch out for Malta wants to rush into post-COVID normality but under pressure from resilient civil society and resident groups, the Planning Authority will have to decide on a number of controversial development projects, some of which are being given a haircut in an attempt to defuse opposition JAMES DEBONO Two of the three projects proposed on the former Trade Fair grounds in Naxxar, not discounting a government 'disability hub' that has already been excavated nearby. The area is going to deliver deletirious results for Naxxar residents with the increase in construction and traffic