Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1343350
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 FEBRUARY 2021 NEWS ANALYSIS How Manoel Island is set to change JAMES DEBONO THE visual impact of the rede- fined Manoel Island project will still be considerable for pedestri- ans walking down the Strand, a new study shows, despite a re- duced impact in views. The uncovering of the re- mains of a quarantine cemetery on Manoel Island has led to the replacement of a residen- tial area approved in 2019, with a 10,536sq.m 'Green Park' by developers MIDI. Like other planned open spaces, it will also be open to the public, according to an Environment Impact As- sessment of the latest master- plan presented on Monday. The changes will see a reduc- tion in apartments for the Ma- noel Island project from 608 ap- proved in 2019, to 300. The area identified for com- mercial uses like retail will al- so be decreased 11,306 sq.m to 7,000 sq.m. Land reclamation and coast- al engineering works on the northern side of the island, al- so approved in 2019, have been shelved. And instead of a solid breakwater, there will be a float- ing installation. The 2019 permit had been revoked last year by the Envi- ronment and Planning Review Tribunal following a successful appeal by Flimkien Ghall-Amb- jent Ahjar, which also invalidat- ed the previous EIA, leading to more studies and changes. Water channel to be widened The channel between Manoel Island and Gzira will be wid- ened and deepened, in order to improve water circulation between Lazzaretto Creek and Sliema Creek. A new bridge will be built, which is needed to en- able larger sea-craft navigate between the creeks and aide sea water circulation. Part of the existing bridge shall be retained as a memory and a belvedere point. The present bridge was constructed around 1935 and widened in 1975 to accommo- date the increase in traffic. The current bridge replaces an older structure, which was built before 1800. Project will still have strong visual impact The EIA shows that the pro- ject will still have an impact on views from Ta' Xbiex and from the Gzira front when looking in the direction of the bridge. But its impact has been markedly re- duced for people looking at the Manoel Island yacht yard from benches on the opposite side of the promenade. The project will still have the greatest visual impact when viewed from Triq ix-Xatt. The main contributor to the change in views will be the new pro- posed residential buildings, which will dominate the view from this location. From this direction the new buildings will obscure views of the Yacht Mari- na and of the wider built-up area beyond Gzira and Ta' Xbiex. Another viewpoint which is set to change is that from Ta' Xbiex overlooking the upgraded marina and the proposed resi- dential units. The latter will ef- fectively obscure all medium and The uncovering of the remains of a 19th century quarantine cemetery has led to a 10,000sq.m park on the site of the Manoel Island development, even though its visual impact from Ta' Xbiex and Gzira will remain significant Comparison between 2019 masterplan and 2021 plan (floor area) 2019 (sq.m) 2021 (sq.m) Residential 83,082 51,033 Commercial 9,100 7,000 Hotel 17,447 17,447