Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1453707
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 FEBRUARY 2022 NEWS Traineeship Scheme in Gozo The Ministry for Gozo together with the Founda on for Social Welfare Service (FSWS) are launching a traineeship scheme for persons over the age of 18 to be introduced to the labour market. Those interested are kindly requested to refer to the FSWS Branch, in Soil Street, Xewkija or by calling on 22588993/5, between Monday and Friday, from 9.00am ll 1.00pm, by not later than Friday, 4th March 2022. JAMES DEBONO THE Environment and Resourc- es Authority has concluded that the scale of the high-rise devel- opment being proposed at Villa Rosa in St George's Bay, war- rants a new environment impact assessment (EIA) to assess its impacts on the protected Ħarq Ħammiem valley. As proposed, the development will include a 34-storey tower next to Bay Street and anoth- er 27-storey tower right in the middle of the 50,000 sq.m site as well as a large public square between the two buildings. One of the concerns expressed by ERA in a screening report is that the high-rise development proposed on the Villa Rosa site could result in the "shadowing" of the adjacent protected natu- ral areas. Moreover, ERA is also con- cerned that excavations will be conducted nearer to the Ħarq Ħammiem cave than previous- ly envisaged in a permit issued four years ago. The low-rise development approved in 2016 foresaw the demolition of Moynihan and Dolphin House to make way for office blocks and a hotel at Cresta Quay, with the height being limited to a maximum of 7 floors. An EIA report had already been submitted for this development. But the developers have now presented a 'project develop- ment statement' for a high-rise development. The proposed development, which covers a site area of 50,000sq.m includes hotels, serviced apartment, offices and a range of recreational facilities including shops, bars, restau- rants and a multi-purpose hall. It also includes a huge public open space over 20,086sq.m, including a piazza, natural areas and circulation spaces within the Villa Rosa grounds (16,809sq.m) and a 3,277sq.m public open space at Cresta Quay. While taking note that a con- siderable part of the site will be designated as a public open space, ERA expressed concern at the "significant" intensifica- tion of development proposed on site. Furthermore, since the pro- posed public open space will be located between the proposed buildings and the promenade along the coast, the most in- tensive development will be "pushed" to the periphery of the site, "immediately border- ing the sensitive valley area." Moreover since the proposed tall buildings would imme- diately border the protected site, "this may be affected by shadowing and other overspills from the intensified opera- tions". According to ERA, the en- croachment on the protected area "will extend beyond the encroachment" already ap- proved in 2018. The change in design and overall massing and height of the proposed development, no- tably in the Villa Rosa site, are also likely to lead to have sig- nificant visual impacts on the surroundings. "Such likely impacts require further evaluation, especially in relation to the valley landscape and the villa itself, but also in terms of the setting of the wid- er bay." Similarly, any potential im- pacts from the proposed devel- opment on the context of Villa Rosa, and its positioning as a prominent landmark building would also need to be studied further from a cultural heritage perspective. ERA has also expressed con- cern that excavations are pro- posed "well within the estab- lished buffer zone of Għar Ħarq Ħammiem", with addi- tional excavations to the west of Moynihan House bringing interventions closer towards the area of the upper chamber of the cave system. In view of this further inves- tigations are required to deter- mine whether the proposed in- terventions are likely to lead to any adverse effects on the sta- bility and integrity of the cave system. ERA is also objecting to any development on an existing undeveloped area north-east of the existing Cresta Quay, which it said "should remain untouched and safeguarded as a natural area". In this regard, ERA is objecting to a proposed construction of an indoor pool and kitchen at the pool level. According to a project devel- opment statement presented by the developers the project will be creating a signature destination for Malta, "by of- fering a quality tourism desti- nation, which at the same time enriches the local community". Moreover, open spaces will constitute 65% of the total land area available for development. Massing studies have been conducted by renowned inter- national architectural firm UN Studios, which has developed a concept inspired by "different rock shards and natural stone formations found on Malta". jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Environmental watchdog concerned on excavation in buffer zone of protected cave, says scale of development proposed warrants a new EIA to assess its impacts Villa Rosa high-rise could overshadow protected valley, ERA warns