Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1418273
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 OCTOBER 2021 14 COMMERCIAL Reviving Manoel Island PAUL COCKS speaks to MIDI plc CEO Mark Portelli about the revised masterplan THE Manoel Island master- plan has been unanimously ap- proved by the planning board of the Planning Authority. The project consists of a mixed-use development, incorporating residential, commercial, leisure facilities, sports facilities for the local community, public amen- ities and a Centre for the Arts and Culture. The planning board com- mended the efforts that have been made to achieve a more sustainable Masterplan hav- ing a better balance between built-up and open spaces, with the open spaces now heavily outweighing the built-up area. More land has been commit- ted to parks, squares, pedestri- an priority streets and prome- nades, with most of the Island to become a pedestrian-friendly shared-surface destination. All parking and service facilities are to be located underground. Significantly important is the elimination of the land recla- mation that has got approved in the northern perimeter of the Island. MIDI has substantially downscaled original plans for Manoel Island and set a precedent by allocated spaces previously identified for development to public open spaces. Yet concern remains on visual impact on Valletta views from Gzira and take up of part of promenade to accommodate a large round- about… is there still room for changes to address these concerns? The decision to revise the Masterplan is a result of the site investigations carried out, dur- ing the last two years, under the supervision of an independent archaeologist approved by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH). The investi- gations established that a large part of the site, which was pre- viously earmarked for develop- ment, is of archaeological im- portance. The new Masterplan approved by the Planning Au- thority in September contem- plates that the footprint of the new buildings to be developed on Manoel Island will be scaled down to cover approximately 6% of MIDI's concession and the gross floor area of the new buildings will total 55,000sqm compared to the 95,000sqm permitted in the original Out- line Development Permit. Fur- thermore, the revised Master- plan does not include the land reclamation in front of the Gżira promenade, thus large- ly mitigating the impact of the development on the Gżira com- munity. Although some views of Val- letta will be affected from a particular location on the Gżira promenade, MIDI's de- velopment will help to create new viewpoints and alternative public open spaces where such views can be better appreciated. The creation of a roundabout to link Manoel Island to the road network was envisaged in the 2006 North Harbour Local Plan. The roundabout junc- tion, which is estimated to take up approximately 450sqm of the promenade, will improve road safety and ensure that the existing conflict between ve- hicles and pedestrians along the promenade is eliminated. Well-designed roundabouts minimise congestion and im- prove the movement of vehi- cles at crossroads by reducing conflict points and simplifying the right of way. As part of the planning process alternative solutions were studied, in- cluding proposals made by the Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħ- jar (FAA). The result of these studies have concluded that the roundabout option remains the best solution. Having said this MIDI remains open to explore alternative options. During the Planning Authority public hearing board members had expressed concern on an extra glass floor on the Lazzaretto for which a permit had been issued in 2012. Do you consider further changes to this? The interventions being pro- posed on the Lazzaretto, whilst being very sensitive to the con- text of the building, will bring a new lease of life and relevance to the building without com- promising its historic fabric, while allowing it to function and fulfil contemporary needs. The works contemplated are covered by a valid full devel- opment permit which includes an element of new buildings. The proposed interventions to this building were assessed in full by The Heritage Planning Unit (HPU) prior to the issue of the permit which comment- ed that "the proposed additions are acceptable and sensitive to the cultural and historic values of the site primarily as they are aimed at the reinstatement of missing parts." The additional floor struc- tures will be developed in line with the established schools of thought when it comes to res- toration and the adaptive re- use of historical buildings. In fact the interventions intend to show as a contemporary inter- vention to the original masonry fabric. It has been reported that in 2017 MIDI was close to selling part of its stake in Manoel Island to the Tumas Group. What prompted this and is MIDI in a position to carry out the development alone or will it be seeking new partners? As reported in October 2018, MIDI had entered discussions with Tumas Group to explore the possibility of establishing a joint venture with respect to the development of Manoel Island, but no preliminary agreement had been reached. In December 2019, by mutual agreement the discussions between the par- ties were terminated. MIDI is committed to the development of Manoel Island and the possi- bility of bringing in a strategic investor is not excluded. What role will MIDI have once Manoel Island is developed and apartments sold to new owners and how will MIDI ensure that development conditions are also binding on individual owners etc.? To ensure that the public in- terest is safeguarded, MIDI together with the Gżira Local Council set up the Manoel Is- land Foundation. The creation Fort Manoel Parade Ground View of form Ta Xbiex