Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1492662
8 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 FEBRUARY 2023 Xghajra residents fear commercialisation of bocci site cleared by council Evidence of old agricultural techniques under Zonqor carobs JAMES DEBONO THE Xgħajra local council is excavating a vacant site – originally designated as a public open space – to be developed into a boċċi club and bar, claiming it is only clearing debris from the site and that no planning permit is required. Residents who contacted MaltaToday questioned the legality of the works, since a planning application to develop the boċċi club on this 800sq.m, govern- ment-owned plot between Triq il-For- tizza tal-Grazzja and Triq l-Awrat, is not yet approved by the Planning Au- thority. The council's executive secretary in- sisted with MaltaToday that no permit is required to clear the site of debris that was illegally deposited "during the past months and years". Normally no permit is required for such works, but a planning permit is required for exca- vation works. Residents fear the works being carried out by a mechanical exca- vator are simply meant to pave the way for the proposed development. A 2020 application requested an out- door boċċi pitch with bar and multi- purpose hall on two underground levels and a roof garden. The project was adja- cent to a Greek theatre and small play- ing-field approved back in 2004. Over 50 residents objected, fearing the area's commercialisation of what should be an open sapce. They suggested relocating the boċċi pitch to a nearby site next to the football ground, an area designated by the local plan for sports and leisure facilities, and allowing both sports to share the same catering facility. A PA case officer has already recom- mended a refusal of the project, deem- ing it in breach of the South Malta Local Plan which only allows children play ar- eas or landscaped seating areas for the public on this site. The case officer al- so warned that the proposed structures "do not read as an open area, blocking long-distance views for both pedestri- ans and car users." Subsequently the council presented new plans to retain the bar, but no de- cision has yet been taken. In December 2002, Xgħajra mayor Neil Attard said the council had a €52,000 fund that had to be spent "as soon as possible" to avoid the funding being withdrawn. The council agreed to commence "exca- vation works and dumping of material" to level the site so that it can be used as a temporary boċċi pitch. JAMES DEBONO SOIL clearance in an area in Żonqor point in Marsaskala – now earmarked for the develop- ment of 118 apartments – have resulted in the discovery of ar- chaeological features, including a shallow quarry related to the formation of rubble walls in the area and an alignment of agricul- tural trenches. MaltaToday was alerted by residents of possible archaeo- logical remains being uncov- ered after the uprooting of an old and massive carob tree. Agricultural trenches are a traditional technique, still in use, where trenches are dug to provide better root anchor- age and soil humidity in areas where thin soils are present. "These features are being fully investigated and documented in line with established best archaeological practice," a spokesperson for the Superin- tendence for Cultural Heritage told MaltaToday. Works on the site are being monitored by archaeologists under the direc- tion of the Superintendence. But in an indication that this discovery will not alter plans to develop this green area, these features are considered to be "of limited archaeological val- ue and will be treated accord- ingly". The practice of digging trenches, particularly for the growing of vines, dates back to early Roman times and con- tinued till more recent times. Vine trenches are considered a common feature in Malta and are often discovered during ex- cavation for building develop- ment. These remains are usual- ly recorded but are not deemed to be important enough to warrant revision to approved developments. The development of 118 apartments on a 5,000 sq.m site by GAP Projects Limited at Żonqor Point in Marsaska- la was approved by the PA's planning board in October last year. The area where the pro- ject will rise had been added to the development zones in the 2006 rationalisation exercise. Carob trees like the ones being uprooted from the site are only protected when located outside the development zone.