Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1501789
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 JUNE 2023 NEWS NEWS JAMES DEBONO AN elderly home proposed outside development zones in Għargħur by Marlon Brin- cat, the Labour minority lead- er of the Naxxar local council has been granted clearance by Transport Malta but the PA's Design Advisory Committee (DAC) has once again expressed concern about the visual impact on its surroundings. The DAC, a three-member panel chaired by architect and academic David Mallia, which advises the Planning Authority on the visual impact of devel- opments carried out in sensi- tive sites, was reacting to a new set of photomontages present- ed by the applicant. The verdict of the DAC is not binding but its views must be considered by the case officer in their recommendation to the board. In 2022 the same panel had asked for the inclusion of more trees and "a better articulation of the facades" of the build- ing. Subsequently plans were changed through the inclu- sion of more trees and minor changes to the design of the building. The Environment and Resources Authority had also objected to the project. The 60-bed home in Għargħur is being proposed by Marlon Brincat, an owner of the in- stallations company CE Group, instead of a disused broiler farm, and is located just 200m away from GAP's Golden Care home, also approved on ODZ in 2017. Brincat also serves as a Labour councillor and minor- ity leader on the Naxxar local council. Back in 2020 Transport Malta had also expressed its concern about a number of shortcom- ings related to road safety and to the accessibility to and from the site. This is because the proposed home can only be accessed from Sqaq l-Imnieqa, which is a two-directional alley of une- ven width, that provides access to numerous agricultural fields and a few residential buildings. The alley is only accessed from a simple priority intersec- tion with Triq San Gwann an urban road in Naxxar consist- ing of a two-directional single carriageway which serves as one of the main urban roads providing access to Għargħur. Following the presentation of traffic studies, TM has issued its clearance on condition that a few traffic calming measures are implemented by the appli- cant. TM acknowledged that no access can be provided for fire engines to enter the site due to the narrow access. But this ob- stacle was surmounted through an agreement with the Civil Protection Department which stipulates "that in case of fire it will make use of two fire con- nections situated at both ends of the home." Moreover, the largest vehicle predicted to reach the home are an ambulance and a small 6m-long refuse truck. The use of a small truck to collect the home's waste is already envis- aged in an agreement with a refuse company. The Traffic study has al- so recommended the instal- lation of 'speed cushions' as a traffic calming measure at the site entrance/exit, meant to restrict excessive speed by visitors to the home. The re- ports concludes that the de- veloper should be responsible for constructing proper access to the development and im- proving the roadside environ- ment in front of the develop- ment through the installation of signs and the resurfacing of Sqaq l-Imnieqa. The report al- so recommends the installation of a give way sign to those ve- hicles exiting the development, and to give way to those who are entering the development. Footpaths are also needed for safe pedestrian access. AN application for a super- market and apartments on a vacant plot a short distance away from the official resi- dence of the US ambassador, has been withdrawn after a case officer recommended re- fusal. A decision was scheduled for last week but during the sitting the applicant informed the board that the application was being withdrawn. The proposed supermarket was meant to replace the exist- ing Scotts Supermarket in Triq l-Ghenba, Attard which lacks any parking provision. But the case officer had rec- ommended refusal arguing that this kind of commercial development cannot be al- lowed in a 'residential area' due to the traffic impact and the negative impact on the sur- rounding area. The Superin- tendence for Cultural Heritage had also expressed concern on the visual impact of the pro- posed five storey development. The site where the super- market was proposed consists of a vacant plot of land front- ing three roads, namely Triq il-Linja, Triq il-Mithna and Triq Anthony Schembri. More than 300 residents had objected to the development mostly due to concern on traffic congestion and parking even if the project has three levels of basement garages. Most also objected to the loss of another open space. Concerns persist over visual impact of planned elderly home in Gharghur ODZ Attard supermarket plans withdrawn Transport Malta issues clearance on condition that traffic calming measures are introduced at the intersection between Triq San Gwann and Triq l-Imnieqa The vacant plot in Triq l-Ghenba in Attard