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MALTATODAY 26 March 2023

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12 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MARCH 2023 www.pa.org.mt PLANNING AUTHORITY The role requires to provide general office support services to the Authority, working closely with the Manager in providing administrative control over resources, provide technical advice, manage support services staff and supervise the delivery of contracted services. Successful candidates must be in possession of the following: Qualificati ons and E xperienc e Route A1 MQF 5 level Diploma in Foundation of Engineering or similar equivalent qualification. A minimum of six (6) years' experience in at least one of the following: precincts management, or works management, or maintenance of buildings, or electrical or electronics or electrical installations, or construction or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, or plumbing. In possession of ECDL or ACAD or an equivalent qualification in computer studies at MQF level 3. OR Route A2 MQF 4 Certificate in any one of the following: Electrical, or Construction Engineering, or Heating Ventilation and air-conditioning. A minimum of eight (8) years' experience in at least one of the following: precincts management, or works management, or maintenance of buildings, or electrical or electronics or electrical installations, or construction or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, or plumbing In possession of ECDL or ACAD or an equivalent qualification in computer studies at MQF level 3. OR Route A3 At least six (6) recognised qualifications at MQF Level 3 which include Maths, Maltese and English, and any one of the following: Electronics, or Electrical Installations, or Plumbing/Electrical. A minimum of ten (10) years' experience in at least one of the following:precincts management, or works management, or maintenance of buildings, or electrical or electronics or electrical installations, or construction or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning or plumbing. In possession of ECDL or ACAD or an equivalent qualification in computer studies at MQF level 3. S kills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, leadership and supervisory qualities, capable of assuming responsibility, ability to work on own initiative, record-keeping, report-writing, ability to multi-task, computer literate, ability to communicate in verbal and written Maltese and English. Candidates are to present scanned copies of all qualifications with their application together with proof of local equivalence issued by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), for any qualification(s) which are not awarded by University of Malta or MCAST. Candidates who are in possession of qualification(s) in a language other than English, are to present a translated copy of their qualification(s) in English. All certificates, the proof of local equivalence, the completed Declarations by Candidate, which can be downloaded from https:// www.pa.org.mt/en/ vacancies, and the Jobsplus Employment History, which can be downloaded from https://jobsplus.gov.mt/, are to be presented with the application, by the closing date for submissions. Candidates who are 3rd country nationals, are to have a valid working permit by the closing date for submissions of the call, which permit is to be presented with their application. The position carries a starting annual salary and allowances of €28,414, a performance bonus and other benefits. The above post is for an indefinite period. Interested candidates are advised to submit their application, by sending an application via email on jobapplications@pa.org.mt together with a detailed curriculum vitae in pdf format by not later than 10th April 2023 to: The Human Resources Manager Planning Authority Ref: Senior Support Services Officer Jobsplus Permit No. 1 37/2022 Further information is available on our website: www.pa.org.mt/en/ vacancies JoiN ouR TEAm SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES OFFICER Career OppOrtunity vacancy.indd 1 22/03/2023 14:13:11 JAMES DEBONO A J Portelli development in Balzan was given the thumbs-down in the Planning Authority's envi- ronment and planning review tribunal (EPRT), confirming the "significant impact" on two icon- ic Ficus trees that characterise the streetscape near the former Dol- phin complex. The two large and robust trees stretch from the façade of the Dolphin Centre, across the entire width of Triq il-Kbira, with a di- ameter of 18m. "It is clear that the execution of the permit would have necessi- tated the cutting off of a substan- tial part of the mature trees since these extend on the site question," the EPRT said after revoking the 88-apartment project proposed by construction magnate Joseph Portelli's partner Clifton Attard. The EPRT even reprimanded the developers for not even refer- ring to the two trees in the plans they submitted, and for claiming their project will not result in the uprooting of any tree. According to the tribunal, these omissions could have misled the Environ- ment and Resources Authority, which failed to assess the impact of the project on the two trees at proposal stage. The appellants, which includ- ed the Balzan local council, suc- cessfully argued that the project's basement would be excavated right up and beyond the pavement line, resulting in "the destruction of half of the tree's roots" as well as its most of its branches and 154sq.m of foliage. The objectors feared this would ultimately result in the felling of the trees. Recognising that the trees are lo- cated on a public pavement outside the boundary of the application, the EPRT confirmed the signifi- cant impact on them by the exca- vations of two underground levels right up to the building alignment, and then the construction of five floors with balconies extending be- yond the building line. Now the EPRT has ordered the developers to present new plans and reword the application form to indicate the presence on the two large trees. But it stopped short of calling on them to ex- clude any negative impact on the trees, limiting itself to asking them to "explore the possibility of an amended design to ensure that the trees are not impacted in a signif- icant way." The EPRT also reprimanded the developers for omitting any refer- ence to a nymphaeum which may have formed part of the original historical villa which itself was il- legally demolished in 1987. Curiously, plans indicated an al- ready-built basement in the area where the nymphaeum is located, whose existence was only brought to light in the appeal filed by the objectors. Although an affidavit by a former owner says the structure was built when the Dolphin Cen- tre was constructed, the tribunal noted that the weathered stones are an indication of the structure's antiquity. Even the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage has recognised the value of the structure and is now recommending the integra- tion of the structure in the devel- opment. The EPRT, chaired by Robert Sarsero, revoked the Planning Commission's decision from September but the developers will have to present a new appli- cation to the PA to reassess the project, with a new case officer's report and the planning process reversed back to that stage. The EPRT also limited the number of floors which can be approved on the site to three full floors and one receded floor instead of the four full floors and one receded floor which was approved. Fate of Balzan trees still in the balance after revocation of Portelli permit

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