Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1483693
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 9 NOVEMBER 2022 NEWS NEWS 5-storey development looms on B'Kara garden JAMES DEBONO A new planning application foresees an increase in the height of a development direct- ly overlooking the playing field in Gnien l-Istazzjon in Birkirka- ra from 14.5 meters to 17.5 me- ters by adding two more floors. Despite the issue of the origi- nal permit in 2011 and a renew- al in 2018, works on the project are still at an initial stage fol- lowing the issue of a clearance for excavations issued in July. But Elbros owner Charles El- lul's Portica Estates has now presented new plans to redisgn the project. In this way the development which extends from the site of the former Roxy Cimema to the scheduled public garden will grow from three to five storeys. The site which includes the Roxy cinema is now earmarked for 15 more apartments over and above the 12 units approved in 2011. Parking spaces have also trebled to 150 through the addi- tion of one more basement level to the three approved in 2011. The latest request by is to increase office spaces from 950sq.m to 1,140sq.m. A child- care centre approved in the previous applications . The art deco façade of the 1931 cinema will still be reatained. The development, a 1,300sq.m site between the Birkirkara train station gardens and Fleur de Lys road, had originally been approved in 2012 and then re- newed in 2018. Yet no construc- tion has yet taken place since then, with the original permit set to expire by May 2023. Built in 1931, the 800-seat Roxy was shuttered in 1968 be- fore being reopened as a bar. But the Roxy Hall has been der- elict for years and is now in a very poor state of repair. Over 60 objections were filed to the permit's renewal in 2018, and to have the cinema fully preserved and restored. In 2011 the Planning Authority had approved a three-storey development overlooking Gnien l-Istazzjon in an application which also foresaw the internal demolition of the Roxy cinema. 11 years down the line the developer has applied to add two more storeys directly abutting on the garden Only three candidates submit their nomination to contest three vacant administrative posts within the PN THERE wwill be no contest to fill in three vacancies within the Nationalist Party's administrative structure after only three nomi- nations were submitted. Psychologist Mary Anne Lauri, a university professor, is the only candidate to contest the role of president for political research vacated by Martina Caruana. MP Chris Said is the only can- didate for the role of president for social dialogue, which was vacated by MP Ivan J. Bartolo. Accountant Mario Ellul is the only nomination for the post of treasurer, a role he has occupied since the end of 2020. The PN said in a statement that the election of these offi- cials will take place on Monday 14 November at a meeting of the executive committee. The one-horse races to fill these three vacancies follow similar non-contests for the posts of leader and deputy lead- er in the aftermath of the March general election. Bernard Grech ran uncontest- ed for the post of leader, the same as Alex Perici Calascione, who contested the deputy lead- ership. From left: Mario Ellul, Mary Anne Lauri and Chris Said are the only candidates to contest for three posts in the PN administration No contest for PN administrative posts