Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1477075
8 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 AUGUST 2022 JAMES DEBONO A malfunction of the Planning Authority 's information system led to the postponement of a de- cision on a controversial apart- ment development in Balzan. The meeting has now been postponed to 6 September after only 12 of the 257 objectors were formally informed of yesterday's meeting. The project is being proposed by Clifton Attard, a business partner of construction magnate Joseph Portelli, on the site of the abandoned Dolphin complex. Planning Commission chair Stephania Baldachino immedi- ately informed those present that only 12 of 257 objectors were no- tified of the date of the meeting and the latest drawings presented by the developer. Objectors are normally in- formed automatically through the authority's IT system on the submission of new plans and dates of meetings. She explained that by law the PA is precluded from holding meetings in such circumstances. Those present in the meeting in- cluded developer Clifton Attard, environmentalist Astrid Vella and Balzan mayor Angelo Mi- callef. This represented the third de- ferral on the proposed develop- ment of an 88-unit residential complex built over five storeys, two levels of underground park- ing, a gym and 2,500sq.m of retail shops. In the last sitting following strong objections by Flimkien Għall-Ambjent Aħjar, the Plan- ning Commission had called for a more detailed engineer's re- port particularly related to the storm water flooding mitigation measures, an updated noise lev- els report and fresh drawings to include setbacks and transitions overlooking the neighbouring villa area. It also called for plans to clear- ly indicate dedicated parking for residents and a dedicated parking space area for shops. The case officer is recommend- ing the approval of the project. The project will provide 137 parking spaces, a shortfall of 16 from the demand it is expected to create. But the case officer argued that no parking shortfall will be created because an office pro- ject approved in 2015 which was never actually built had already resulted in a shortfall of 38 cars. The Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage had objected to the development as the terracing of the development so close to the Urban Conservation Area re- mained inadequate. The SCH kept insisting that the considerable massing being proposed should be mitigated through a design that is "more sensitive to the context in par- ticular through the breaking up of the facades through vertical interventions to create a rhythm evoking more traditional fa- cades." The case officer replied saying that the proposed development is compatible with its context and the surrounding areas as it introduces "traditional features such as balconies" which have been "integrated in a contempo- rary design". Moreover, while the SCH considered setbacks on the second and third level as "mini- mal", the case officer argued that the proposed street elevation and the setback floors would ensure that there is no negative impact on the traditional urban skyline of the existing streetscape. The Balzan local council warned that the project will intensify de- velopment in Balzan, a locality which suffers from major traffic congestion and a lack of adequate parking spaces for the residents of Balzan, let alone those making use of retail outlets proposed in this proposal. In a separate application, which still has to be approved, the same developers have applied to devel- op a corner townhouse previous- ly owned by former minister John Dalli. According to the submitted plans the development will in- clude three new floors on the ex- isting villa to accommodate three shops at ground floor level and 11 more apartments. The Balzan development is part of a long saga of planning abuse dating back to the early 1990s. Prior to the construction of the Dolphin supermarket, the site was occupied by a historical 18th century villa. In 1990, the Antiquities Com- mittee at the Department of Mu- seums, a precursor of the SCH, resigned en bloc after its calls to preserve the villa were overruled when the PAPB (the regulator of the time) issued a permit for the Dolphin complex, on condition that Villa Birbal's corner street shrine be reintegrated into the new facade. Only 12 objectors out of 257 had been informed of the planning meeting that was to decide the fate of Balzan apartment project to replace defunct Dolphin Centre Balzan project decision deferred after IT malfunction leaves objectors out of meeting Photomontages of the proposed apartment block that will replace the Dolphin Complex in Balzan