Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1482987
5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 OCTOBER 2022 NEWS JAMES DEBONO FARMLAND in the Marsas- kala area of il-Bidni is being earmarked for residential de- velopment, together with a swimming pool and decking area jutting out of the develop- ment zones (ODZ). The seven-storey block of 41 apartments and four pent- houses is being proposed right at the edge of Marsaskala's development zone, but the swimming pools and extensive landscaping will be ODZ. An underground parking level consisting of 36 parking spaces is also included in the development. The ODZ site, located be- tween existing buildings, fronts "a passage" off Triq il-Bidni and presently includes disused agricultural land and a pig farm, and a number of car- ob and fig trees. The devel-op- ment will require the felling of trees although plans indicate the planting of new ones. The site within development zones is already designated for five-storey development in the local plan approved in 2006. Development guidelines ap- proved in 2015 to reduce the height of storeys will allow it to have a 24m height, pent- house level included. The PA had already issued an outline permit to developer Kenneth Abela for 45 apart- ments on the site which with- in development boundaries in 2008. Access to the site was to be provided through a new pe- destrian pathway. Before approving the appli- cation, the Planning Author- ity had expressed concern on five-storey high blank party wall overlooking the ODZ, but the permit was issued follow- ing guidance from the PA's executive committee. The per- mit, which was never imple- mented, has now expired and carries no legal validity. Subsequently an applica- tion was presented by Sharon Camilleri, for an elderly home which included the adjacent ODZ site, but later withdrawn. Present applicant developer Francis Gauci declared that he is not the owner of the entire site, but has been granted con- sent by the owners. Marsaskala: 7-storey block for Bidni farmland