Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1527558
16 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 OCTOBER 2024 JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Supermarket and mall proposed instead of Haz-Zebbug batching plant Staggering 50,000sq.m retail space instead of batching plant, near pristine rural area along Triq Wied is-Sewda A massive shopping mall, set to include a supermarket, is being proposed on the site of a batch- ing plant located in a rural area in Ħaż-Żebbuġ, just off Mdina Road in close vicinity to the Sew- da valley. The project, spanning over six floors – two of which are be- low ground – is set to include a staggering 46,277sq.m of retail space, along with a 4,634sq.m supermarket and offices on six levels. The shopping complex is pro- posed by Philip Agius & Sons Holdings Ltd, which owns the site. This follows the trend set by other developments recently ap- proved by the Planning Author- ity (PA), including the new Lidl supermarket in Ħaż-Żebbuġ it- self and another shopping mall approved instead of a batching plant in Ħal-Għaxaq. In the latest plans, submitted on 1 October, the development is limited to an area designat- ed in local plans as an "Area of Containment", where industrial development can be permitted. As proposed, the development will include a 4,600sq.m super- market, 3,300sq.m of retail, a 1,670sq.m catering establish- ment, and a 4,900sq.m open car park at ground-floor level. An additional 12,700sq.m of shops are being proposed on an overly- ing second floor, while 9,200sq.m of retail and 2,280sq.m of offices are proposed on a third floor. A receded fourth floor consisting of 4,760sq.m of offices is also be- ing proposed. The project foresees two base- ment levels: one consisting of 8,100sq.m of retail space and 7,500sq.m of parking space, and another 12,760sq.m of shops. As originally presented in De- cember 2023, the development encroached on adjacent land, but plans were revised after the Environment and Resources Au- thority asked for a revision to re- move any encroachment outside development zones (ODZ). However, the ERA declared that it had no objection to the proposed development if limit- ed to the Area of Containment. The ERA asked the developers to present a project description statement to better assess what further studies are required. It also called for a study to deter- mine the projected increase in traffic flows in the area. In its initial reaction to the pro- ject, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage (SCH) noted that while the land earmarked for development is already built- up, the area to the north of the site consists of a "pristine rural landscape... characterised by ter- raced fields and rubble walls." While not opposed to the re- development of the site, the SCH called for the project to be limited to a single storey above Mdina Road levels, with the de- velopment being terraced down to create a proper transition to the surrounding ODZ. The latest plans show that the development will rise two floors above Mdina Road. A new access road is being proposed along Triq Wied is-Sewda which will be widened.