Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1381190
6 NEWS TOWNSCAPES maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 9 JUNE 2021 JAMES DEBONO THE Gozo Ministry is proposing the complete demolition of an old corner townhouse and its garden at the inter- section between Triq l-Imghallem and Triq ta' Wara s-Sur in the vicinity of the Cittadella to make way and pro- vide sufficient space for yet another road widening exercise. The Ministry claims that the aim of the project is aimed at solving a traffic congestion and traffic hazard problem through the elimination of a bottleneck. If approved the application would see the road widened from a 4.2m width to a width of 8.50m to cater for a 6.50m single carriageway with two opposite lanes wit pedestrian footpaths on either side each which will have a width of 1 meter. The present width of the road has been deemed insufficient to take vehicular traffic from opposite di- rections simultaneously and for pro- viding sufficient underground space to pass new infrastructure networks, taking into account that a High Ten- sion Electrical cable is already pres- ent within the limited width. The existing 'bottleneck' is also contrib- uting to "excessive vehicle emissions all of which produce adverse impacts on quality of life". The house which includes various traditional features including a niche and internal arches is currently un- inhabited and according to the Gozo Ministry subject to expropriation. Instead of presenting one planning application the Ministry is resorting to piecemeal applications for road development in the sensitive area, which would see Triq Zebbug and Triq Wied Sara being "upgraded" at a later stage in the future. Gozo ministry proposes demolition of old house to widen Cittadella road A five-storey apartment block earmarked for the abandoned Dolphin Centre in Balzan will included over 2,500sq.m of retail space with 15 shops. Residents in the area who spoke to MaltaToday have ex- pressed concern that commer- cial activity and the density of the development will exacer- bate parking and noise prob- lems in the tranquil residential area, just metres away from Balzan's pristine urban conser- vation area. Also proposed is a 387sq.m gym at basement and ground floor level, 90 residential units on the overlying four floors and an already approved 785sq.m restaurant. As proposed the project's un- derground car park will be con- structed over two levels will ca- ter for 70 cars. Details of the planning appli- cation were only published this week after properties were al- ready being advertised and sold as shell apartments, at prices starting at €155,000 condi- tional on the issue of permits. The application was presented by CF Developers, a company owned by five shareholders, in- cluding Mercury House devel- oper and Hamrun FC president Joseph Portelli. The project is being advertised as a "partner- ship" between CF Developers and J Portelli projects. The so-called Park Lane apartments are being adver- tised as "new luxury condo- minium building... inspired by the traditional Maltese village core." Despite the absence of any development permit the "de- velopment is being sold on plan, with move-ins scheduled for Winter 2023". The advert states that the de- velopment will consist of large two- and three-bedroom apart- ments, with large balconies, and will include retail and gro- cery outlets, a communal pool, gym, private pools and steam or sauna rooms. A previous application sub- mitted by Patricia Apap Bo- logna in 2019 has been with- drawn. The application foresaw internal and external altera- tions to two existing blocks and a part extension on second floor for office development. The Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage had expressed concern on overbearing vol- umes the application would create on Main Street, as it fac- es an Urban Conservation Area, and it warned against unsightly blank party walls on the build- ings on Papa Piju XII Street which, even though not within UCA, still consists of an intact stretch of two storey houses. In 2014 the PA had already approved an application by Mark Bianchi for internal al- terations and for a café with outside tables at ground floor level. Apart from the Balzan devel- opment, Portelli is also eying the development of another massive five-storey apartment block overlooking the protect- ed gardens of Villa Bologna in Attard, promising garden views of some of the town's historic buildings. Consisting of a ground floor, three overlying storeys and a penthouse level, the May- fair development, described as a "high-end collection" of 41 spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, penthouses and maisonettes, are being sold in "shell form" on condition of permits being issued at a later stage. According to online property sites advertising the new devel- opment by Portelli, early buy- ers will benefit from pre-con- struction prices and are being told that the apartments will be ready from construction by the end of 2022, whilst common areas will be finished off by the end of 2023. A planning ap- plication for this development still has to be submitted. Portelli's Balzan plans worry residents as sales start before planning permits