Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1514428
14 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JANUARY 2024 JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt ERA objects to five new dwellings in Landrijiet hamlet THE Environment and Resources Authority is objecting to the pro- posed construction of five new dwell- ings on undeveloped land in the Lan- drijiet rural hamlet in Rabat. The terraced houses are being pro- posed on a 771sq.m plot of land ad- jacent to an existing dwelling which presently consists of a private garden enclosed by a rubble wall which hosts within it several mature trees. The application foresees the up- rooting of several trees and the de- struction of rubble walls, which are an intrinsic part of the character of the area. In its objection ERA warned that the development will result in the significant uptake of rural land, the uprooting of numerous trees and an intensification of urban development in the ODZ. Din l-Art Helwa is also objecting to the development describing the application as a threat to the integ- rity of the rural environment and one which is in breach of the policy regu- lating development in rural hamlets. Although outside the development zone, the area is designated as a Cat- egory 2 settlement, a designation for existing rural hamlets, where new dwellings with a footprint of 150sq.m can be allowed on uncommitted land. But the local plan limits such devel- opment to infill sites, corner sites and sites which form the end of a row of three dwellings. Moreover, the local plan clearly excludes development on sites, which contain mature trees, and which contribute to the charac- ter of the settlement. The local plan also states that any new development should not negatively impact the set- tlement's character and its surround- ing rural environment. The development is being proposed by Benji Psaila who declared owning the site in question. The application was presented as an outline one, a planning mechanism which sets the building parameters for the develop- ment of a site before a full planning application is presented. The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage is also objecting to the de- velopment development as proposed, noting that the development of a row of five dwellings will impact nega- tively on the character of the hamlet. Instead, the SCH has suggested the inclusion of several open spaces or alleys in between the proposed units. A large concrete canopy, constructed in a modernist style, is being retained in plans to zone the area for massive residential de- velotpment that will rise to eight storeys on land mostly owned by Enemalta in Qajjenza. The latest plans show a 36m-high block overlooking the canopy and an "open space" underneath it. The canopy, built in reinforced concrete, is attributed to architect Godfrey Azzopardi, who was also responsible for the design of the Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Church in Fgura. The Qajjenza plant was built in 1956 when the government of the day took over the im- portation and distribution of petroleum gas. The plant was decommissioned in 2013. Katari Developments, a company owned by developer Paul Attard, recently filed a zoning application with the Planning Au- thority to pave the way for a massive resi- dential and commercial development. At- tard does not own any part of the site and most of the land is owned by Enemalta. While welcoming the retention of the can- opy the Superintendence for Cultural Herit- age (SCH) is calling for more extensive open spaces around it. Noting a "degree of open space" being used to separate the concrete canopy from the residential block, the Su- perintendence added that "this aspect may need to be further enhanced". It stressed that retaining the open space around the canopy was essential "for its enjoyment and appreciation as an industrial heritage mon- ument." Nearly 400 residents and the local coun- cil have objected to the development of the site for residential development, and want it retained either as a green open space or for community and recreational facilities. Given the retention and integration of the modernist concrete canopy, the Superin- tendence does not object to the zoning ap- plication. Nevertheless, the cultural heritage watchdog wants the final extent of the open spaces surrounding the canopy and the final design of the apartment blocks, overbearing on the said canopy, to be kept as a reserved matter to be determined when a full plan- ning application is finally presented. The Environment and Resources Author- ity has also issued its blessing for the devel- opment but called for the inclusion of more public green spaces, which should be "com- mensurate to the scale, height and configu- ration of the proposed development in the planning of this site". The application envisages the develop- ment of six residential blocks with a height ranging from 21m to 36m. Katari's plans envision 10,699 sq.m of residential devel- opment on 47% of the land in question, and 13,207 sq.m of "open space area". The zoning application proposes a change in the local plan which currently limits de- velopment in the area to three floors rising to four floors by the seafront. If approved the development which lies at the edge of the development zone, will be the highest ever to be approved in Birzebbuga. Modernist industrial canopy to be retained in Qajjenza project