Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1528842
JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt 10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 NOVEMBER 2024 NEWS LOGISTICS UNIT MINISTRY FOR EDUCATION, SPORT, YOUTH, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION VACANCY ASSISTANT MANAGER MANAGER I MANAGER II ASSISTANT MANAGER MANAGER I MANAGER II Projects and Contractual Section APPLY NOW GOVERNMENT OF MALTA MINISTRY FOR EDUCATION, SPORT, YOUTH, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION St Albert Ghaxaq plans downscaled, but agricultural impact remains THE Dominican order has signif- icantly reduced the land take-up for a new school they are propos- ing on agricultural land at Dawret Ħal-Għaxaq. The school will replace the cur- rent college in Valletta as foreseen in the local plans approved in 2006. The project has been down- scaled from an initial proposal submitted four years ago, which was shot down by the Environ- ment and Resources Authority (ERA), prompting the revision. The new plans propose a reduc- tion in total land take-up from 35,875sq.m as outlined in 2020, to 26,495sq.m – a 26% decrease. The major change in the new proposal is the relocation of the outdoor sports pitch and running track, now moved to the rooftop of three accommodation blocks, while a smaller pitch has been re- located along the southern bound- ary, reducing some 9,380sq.m. of land take-up. The latest plans will preserve 67% of some 58 protect- ed trees in the area. Excluding a 4,255sq.m horti- cultural area and football pitch, the school campus was reduced by 18% to 23,000sq.m. The actu- al built-up footprint was redcued by 26% to 16,485sq.m, while the school buildings will also be re- duced by 17% to 4,000sq.m. However, a thorough Environ- mental Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared by ADI consultants con- cludes the impact of this reduced proposal on the loss of agricul- tural land will still be one of ma- jor significance. The land itself is currently of low agricultural value, but ADI said productivity could still be enhanced with improved irrigation. The EIA warns that the revised project will still affect ground- water recharge, resulting in the "soil sealing" of approximately 16,485sq.m of land, impacting surface water flows across the site and increase run-off along Daw- ret Ħal-Għaxaq. To mitigate this impact, the school plans to use bi- oretention swales that collect and treat run-off from roads and drop- off areas. The EIA also says the devel- opment effectively extends the Ħal-Għaxaq development zone. Although low-lying, the loss of ma- ture vegetation, rubble walls, and rural structures will lead to a less seamless transition between the urban and rural areas. Left unde- veloped however, the site "the rural character of the site would be re- tained", and if used for agriculture, the natural habitat within the site "would remain and flourish". 24-year saga The Dominican Order had al- ready withdrawn another appli- cation which involved the take- up of 72,000 sq.m of land outside development zones in 2019 before presenting an application with a reduced footprint the year after. The application was recently withdrawn by the Planning Au- thority itself after requirements set four years prior remained un- met. The Dominicans intend for the Għaxaq college to serve as a spa- cious alternative to Valletta's St Albert College, which, being over 70 years old, lacks sufficient space for modern amenities. Back when it was decided to re- locate in 2000, the PA had been approached by the school to iden- tify "a suitable site in the south of Malta". Subsequently the PA's site selection exercise identified 12 potential sites, all in the south of Malta, and which included the present 'scheme' site and adjoin- ing lands. It was the PA which di- rected the applicant to the land in Għaxaq, as "the preferred option for relocation of the school."