Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1476751
7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 AUGUST 2022 SUPPORTLINE 1777 Hangover from 2006: new block for Santa Lucija open space JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority is considering an application for the construction of a five-sto- rey block of 48 dwellings on 1,200sq.m of land which pres- ently serves as an open space in the middle of Santa Lucija. The plot forms part of a site al- ready zoned for two, five-storey blocks in 2020 after the area was added to development bound- aries in 2006. The open space along Triq L-Istefanotis and Triq Katerina Vitale is located in the heart of the locality 80m away from the primary school. Santa Luċija has a population density of 3,600 for each square kilometre. Just 20 years ago the PA had turned down an application to regularise a stable when the ar- ea was still outside development zones. In November 2020 it ap- proved a zoning request from developer Anton Camilleri, one of the co-owners, earmarking a 3,100sq.m plot for residential development and two separate public open spaces. The land had been added to the development zone in the infamous extension of building boundaries carried out in 2006. The local plan designated 2,587sq.m for residential de- velopment and the remaining 576sq.m as public open space. It also stipulated that development should be 'comprehensive' in a bid to get the multiple owners of the site presenting one applica- tion. But the land in question is part- ly government-owned and the development depended on the Lands Authority issuing its con- sent for the residential zoning of the whole site. When the zoning application was approved, PA executive chairman Martin Saliba had confirmed that the land had been divided into two parcels of land so that the PA would not force the government "to trans- fer developable land to third par- ties when this land may be used more usefully for government projects". No application has yet been presented on the part of the site entirely owned by government, which means the government can still opt not to develop the part of the site which has been zoned for the construction of another apartment block. In fact the zoning permit spec- ifies that the two blocks "shall each be planned and developed comprehensively" and that the developers of each block should "at their own expense construct, implement and maintain" each of the two public open spaces adjacent to each block. In the recently submitted ap- plication, Camilleri has applied to develop 36 apartments, seven penthouses, five maisonettes, and 75 garages on 1,273sq.m of land facing on three streets and public space. But the application does not include any plans for the 'open space' on an adjacent site, which is mandated by the 2020 zoning application. Camilleri acknowl- edges that he is not owner of the entire site but that he has noti- fied all owners who granted their consent. The application also states that no part of the land is government-owned. Residents in the area expressed concern on the loss of this open space, noting that it is these open spaces which give charm to the ageing locality, originally planned around clusters of low- rise, social housing blocks. The latest census established that 32% of inhabitants in Santa Lu- cija are aged over 65. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Fields added to development zones in 2006 and zoned for five-storey residential blocks in 2020