Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1518433
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 3 APRIL 2024 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt New supermarket proposed instead of Gutenberg Press in Santa Lucija MARIANNA CALLEJA mcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt THE Marsa Open Centre now officially has no migrants, an- nounced Marsa Mayor Josef Az- zopardi. "Today, I can announce on this program that the Marsa Open Centre does not have any asy- lum seekers," Azzopardi said on Monday evening. Speaking on TVM's Xtra, Az- zopardi highlighted one of the most pressing challenges en- countered by the Marsa com- munity: the overcrowding of the Open Centre. The mayor explained how, despite being designed to ac- commodate 500 individuals, the centre was consistently full, with migrants seeking refuge or asylum. In 2017, it was reported that the Marsa Open Centre was to be closed, in line with an elec- toral pledge by the Labour Party, and all residents were to be re- located. However, issues of security, both in Marsa and neighbour- ing localities such as Qormi and Ħamrun, persisted. Several mayors had urged the government to intervene, but years later, the Open Centre re- mained open and overcrowded with residents. In 2020, over 20 migrants were arrested following a fire in the same Open Centre. Though no one was seriously injured, the fire, which broke out in the com- pound's largest dormitory, then spread to the gym. Once again, the local council faced complaints from residents over security issues, and for the second consecutive election, Marsa residents were promised that the Open Centre would be free of migrants. Addressing other security con- cerns, Azzopardi explained that the local council took proactive measures to tackle the issue, in- cluding reopening a police sta- tion in the locality and introduc- ing community policing. With the Open Centre now no longer housing migrants, Azz- opardi outlined plans to repur- pose the space for the benefit of the community. Marsa Mayor Josef Azzopardi (inset) said there are no migrants at the Marsa Open Centre (above) Marsa mayor: Open centre now officially empty A commercial centre is ear- marked on the site of the Guten- berg printing press, in what could potentially be the third major retail development along Tal-Barrani Road. The Gutenberg site measuring 5,430sq.m is situated on Triq Hal Tarxien, metres away from the Gudja junction on Tal-Bar- rani. The proposed development is the third commercial complex within a 1km stretch. In March, the Planning Authority issued an outline permit for a retail centre consisting of 17,500sq.m of re- tail shops built over three levels instead of the Schembri Barbros commercial plant. The PA is also seperately con- sidering another application for the construction of a super- market, shops, offices and res- taurants on the site currently occupied by Trihills scrap yard located between Schembri Bar- bros and the Gutenberg press sites. The latest development is be- ing proposed on three levels above street level and four un- derground levels. Plans foresee a 2,826sq.m su- permarket at level minus 1, sev- eral retail outlets and a food out- let on ground floor level, shops on the overlying second level and workshops, offices and another catering establishment on level 3. 290 underground parking spaces are also being proposed on two basement floors beneath the supermarket. The application was present- ed by Frank Spiteri on behalf of Gutenberg Printing Press Ltd. Although technically situated outside the development zone, this area is governed by a specific local plan policy which permits "mixed use" development. Developments permitted in the area include showrooms, super- markets and ancillary offices. But the policy specifically for- bids other kinds of retail outlets and residential development. The policy also calls on the Plan- ning Authority to encourage de- velopers to provide landscaping around the site. The local plan also limits devel- opment in the area to a ground floor and an overlying floor. The development will abut on- to the Gondolier Hall, a former wedding hall transformed into a place of worship by Gordon Manche's River of Love organi- sation. The Planning Authority has recently refused an application by River of Love to construct a 170sq.m multi-purpose hall at first floor level to serve as an ex- tension to the existing place of worship. The proposal was refused be- cause it would lead to "an inten- sification of use" within the des- ignated mix-use area. Moreover, the extension failed to provide for the anticipated increase in required parking spaces. The change of use from a wed- ding hall to a place of worship was approved two years ago. The Gutenberg printing press site