Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1516411
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 FEBRUARY 2024 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt NEW plans have been presented in a zoning application for the de- velopment of 29 apartment blocks on the former trade fair site in Naxxar. Although the new masterplan envisages fewer buildings than those proposed in 2019, at least two of the blocks will rise to nine floors. The 2019 masterplan made pro- visions for 47 blocks of between one to six floors high. The new plan seeks the green light for 29 blocks over a smaller footprint, leaving more space for landscaped areas. However, the new plan also fore- sees development that is also con- siderably higher, with two blocks of nine storeys each, three blocks of eight storeys, and one block of seven storeys. The other blocks vary from a height of between one storey and six. The development is being pro- posed by Sciclunas Estates, heirs of the Marquis John Scicluna, the landowners who also run the Palazzo Parisio stately home and gardens. Back in 2019, the comap- ny filed a planning control appli- cation to set building heights and zoning for the 53,550sq.m site that used to house the annual trade fair. Commercial facilities at ground floor level are proposed in five of the blocks, with overlying sports facilities at roof level. A four-sto- rey hotel is also being proposed on the eastern flank of the site, which borders the Palazzo Parisio gar- dens. While the highest blocks are being proposed along the axial central walkway route of the old trade fair grounds, lower blocks will be sited at the interface with Naxxar's urban conservation area, presumably to create a terracing effect. The plan envisages a new ve- hicular road, from the intersec- tion of Triq Santa Marija and Triq il-Gwiedja, and circling the northern part of the site around the proposed sports facilities, and continuing in the direction of a car park. The zoning application, which includes the masterplan drafted by architect Edwin Mintoff, is meant to establish the planning parame- ters for future development on the site, which would still need subse- quent development permits. Local plan limits development to four floors The local plan approved in 2006 sets a limit of 116,250sq.m to the gross floor area which can be ap- proved in the area. While limiting buildings to four floors, the local plan fore- sees buildings on five floors in the north-western part of the site "only if this is required in order to retain a total developable residen- tial floor-space of 116,250sq.m." A penthouse level is also per- mitted "provided that this will not impinge on important views." This means that the maximum height allowed on the site is that of six floors. The local plan specifically states that the development should not "create over-sized monolithic or high building blocks" but should consist of small built volumes with inter-connected well land- scaped terraces and passageways that will, in time, "soften the mass of the blocks". Naxxar under pressure The Planning Authority has al- ready approved 136 apartments in two blocks of eight and ten floors on the site of the former trade fair's parking area. The project proposed by SPTT Prop- erties Limited is expected to cre- ate 2,350 new car trips from and towards the new development. Additionally, 64 apartments and seven penthouses have also been approved on a field by Pjazza Cel- si. The PA is still considering an- other zoning application for a new road system, proposed by Brian Azzopardi in 2018, to serve as "potential residential develop- ment" on a 12,031sq.m site locat- ed north and east of the trade fair grounds and to the west by Triq Santa Marija characterised by an old pigeon loft tower, the high rubble wall of the Palazzo Parisio country estate, and a baroque-era farmhouse. Developers want 29 apartment blocks on Naxxar trade fair New plans propose fewer but higher buildings church.mt ST HELEN'S PARISH CHURCH, BIRKIRKARA INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS The Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta will receive proposals for the supply and installation of new exterior lighting for St Helen's Parish Church, Birkirkara, including the design and building of the replica paving elements, with the required cut-outs to seamlessly fit the proposed luminaires on the parvis. Interested parties may submit requests for the tender documents and further information by sending an email to birkirkara.se.tender@maltadiocese.org by not later than 4th March at 11:00hrs. Submissions should be made in person at the Archbishop's Curia, St Calcedonius Square, Floriana, Malta, Mondays to Fridays between 08:00hrs and 17:00hrs, in a sealed envelope clearly marked 'Birkirkara Tender', by not later than Friday 15th March 2024 at 11:00hrs. A tender box will be provided for this purpose. Only proposals received through this tender box will be considered. The bidders will be informed in writing in due course whether their proposal was selected or not. The right is reserved to refuse any proposal, even the most advantageous one. Late submissions will not be considered. New plans propose fewer but higher buildings