Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1505544
14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 AUGUST 2023 NEWS JAMES DEBONO A massive shopping mall in the outskirts of Ghaxaq and Zejtun requires no envi- ronmental study because its impacts are unlikely to be significant, the environ- mental watchdog said. But the Environment and Resources Au- thority's conclusion comes with a caveat: a roundabout must be built on Tal-Barrani Road at the entrance to the proposed com- plex. The mall will have nearly 19,000sq.m of retail space and will be situated next to the Lidl supermarket. The project is expected to cause a significant increase in car trips to the area. A screening report by ERA refers to stud- ies showing that the project will generate an annual average daily traffic (AADT) of around 6,626 car trips. In view of this, ERA had requested an Air Quality Study, which concluded that im- proving the existing junction that is con- trolled by traffic lights will be "sufficient in mitigating the negative impact on air quality during operations". According to the air quality study a roundabout will increase the vehicular flow and thus decrease congestion in the streets. The junction improvement will consist of a proposed two-lane roundabout with slip roads at Triq Tal-Barrani to connect this road with Triq Vjal il-25 Novembru that leads into Zejtun. According to a Project Development Statement presented by the developer in May, Infrastructure Malta intends to up- grade the junction and access to the com- mercial complex will be through the up- graded junction. The proposed infrastructural works will also ensure that this junction will not ex- ceed capacity with the newly created traf- fic generated by the project by 2030. A tansport impact assessment also rec- ommends measures promoting sustaina- ble modes of transport including walking, cycling and public transport. While exempting the project from a full Environmental Impact Study, ERA has ex- pressed concern on the suggestion made in the Project Development Statement that industrial activities in the area will be "relocated" to an unspecified alternative site. ERA has made it clear that the displace- ment of industrial facilities would be sub- ject to environmental assessment on its own merits and should not be construed as a commitment for any site. It also recommended consultation with the Superintendence for Cultural Herit- age due to the proximity to Villa Mekrech which is located 160m to the south of the site. But the loss of the existing undeveloped land is not considered significant in envi- ronmental terms, since the site consists mostly of disturbed land and is in a so- called Area of Containment where limited commercial and industrial development is allowed. Malta's largest shopping mall The shopping village, which is set to be- come Malta's largest mall, even bigger than Tigne Point, is being proposed by Anton Schembri of Schembri Barbros Ltd instead of industrial garages and a concrete batch- ing plant that occupy 23,520sq.m of land next to the Lidl supermarket. According to the latest plans the retail and leisure complex will be built over three floors (10.5m) on a footprint of 14,220sq.m. Two levels of underground parking are set to accommodate 1,014 parking spaces. Apart from shops, the village will in- clude a 2,500sq.m underground gymna- sium and a 700sq.m childcare centre set on the second level. The upper floor will include 7,000sq.m of food and beverage outlets. The project envisages a total floor area of 18,700sq.m dedicated to retail. The existing Lidl supermarket will be re- tained. Malta's largest shopping mall proposed in Ghaxaq Impact on air quality and junction capacity to be offset by creation of new roundabout on Tal-Barrani Road according to ERA which has concluded the project does not warrant an Environment Impact Assessment Blessing of the boats The traditional blessing of the fishing boats took place in Marsaxlokk on Thursday 10 August ahead of the lampuki season that starts on 15 August and continues until the end of the year. The ceremony, attended by Fisheries Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said, saw the Marsaxlokk parish priest blessing the vessels at sea after celebrating Mass. There are 84 fishing vessels ready to sail out and lay down the fishing lines (known as rimja in Maltese) in areas designated to them by the Fisheries Department. Photo by Clifton Fenech, DOI.