Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1526110
12 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 SEPTEMBER 2024 JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt ANNOUNCEMENT Training Seminar on Climate Proofing of Infrastructure for EU Funded projects ERDF/CF/JTF (2021-2027) Within the context of the Common Provisions Regulation regulating EU-funded projects, which request Managing Authorities to ensure the climate proofing of investments in infrastructure which have an expected lifespan of at least 5 years, the Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD) within the Ministry responsible for European Funds would like to announce a full day Training Seminar on Climate Proofing of Infrastructure for EU-Funded projects. Date of Training: Tuesday 10th September (full day) Venue: The Oaks Business Centre, Block B, Farsons Street, Ħamrun. This Training Session on Climate Proofing of Infrastructure and the applicable methodology in line with the European Commission and National Guidelines will be delivered by consultants from JASPERS. The latter supports several EU Member States in concretely implementing the climate proofing requirements at national and regional level and provides them with technical capacity building and advice. Consultants and Technical Experts involved in the preparation of Climate Proofing Reports are invited to attend this Training session by registering on the link indicated below. Link for registration: https://forms.office.com/e/dc8McJMjCx Registration for the Training Session can also be done by scanning the below QR code. Deadline for registration is the 6th September 2024 at noon. Further information on the Climate Proofing Process can be obtained through the National Guidelines found on: https://fondi.eu/: Guidance on Climate Proofing of Infrastructure in the EU Programming period 2021-2027 for Malta AN eight-story hotel is being proposed to replace a six-sto- ry guest house and an adjacent two-story residence along Triq tas-Silġ in Marsaxlokk. The proposed development sits outside the locality's Urban Conservation Area, 60m away from the parish church. The proposal is based on a policy approved in 2014 that allows hotels to rise two extra floors above local plan limita- tions. Plans indicate that the new building will rise to 26m, up from the current 17.5m. The hotel is being proposed by MNA Group Limited, which currently runs the existing Dun Ġorg Guest House as well as the Port View Guest House, al- so located in Marsaxlokk. However, the proposal is facing objections from the Marsaxlokk Local Council, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, and Din l-Art Ħelwa. The Superintendence noted that the property lies within a transition zone to the UCA (Urban Conservation Area), and that the proposed develop- ment will exceed existing com- mitments, further increasing blank party walls. Given these factors, the proposal is de- scribed as objectionable from a cultural heritage perspective. The Marsaxlokk council warned that the proposed ho- tel will result in "an excessive transformation" of the area, which will change its character. The Council called for revised plans based on skyline studies. The heritage NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa also warned that the development will result in an "inappropriate building height that is completely out of scale with its context," which will have a "detrimental impact on the character and amenity of this distinct urban area." The hotel proposal includes a spa, a cafeteria, a restaurant, and a rooftop pool. The proposal has been en- dorsed by the Design Advisory Committee, which advises the Planning Authority on design issues. The committee sug- gested that the exposed party wall should be painted using a darker shade "to tone down the visual impact and blend with the existing surroundings." The Marsaxlokk Bay Local Plan sets the height limitation for this area at three stories, but this height was subse- quently translated into a met- ric height of 17.5m, allowing developers to fit five or even six floors, as is the case with the Dun Ġorg Guest House. Hotels are not among the types of developments nor- mally allowed in residential areas, although guest houses are permitted. Eight-storey hotel proposed in Marsaxlokk Hotel proposal to replace existing guest house faces objections from Marsaxlokk Local Council, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, and Din l-Art Ħelwa Activists condemned the Planning Authority's decision to sanction illegal buildings in complete disregard of court rulings that revoked the original permits. Several NGOs and resident groups called on the government to immediately change the law so that no construction can start once a permit is issued until all appeal procedures are exhausted. Castille protest targets PA's disregard of court rulings