Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533584
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 MARCH 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt Transport Malta shows no intention of demolishing half-built Gzira capitanerie TRANSPORT Malta will not de- molish its half-built capitanerie at the Gzira Marina despite a court annulling the planning permit. Responding to questions about calls for the project's demolition, Transport Malta (TM) did not commit to demolishing the build- ing that is taking up public land, insisting that it "must ensure that the government's interests are re- spected." However, TM did say that it "will not be reapplying on behalf of the concessionaire". The Gzira Marina concession was granted several years ago with the private operator being granted the management of the marina, the right to build a capitanerie and embellish the Gzira Gardens. However, it was TM that applied for the development of the cap- itanerie on behalf of the conces- sionaire. However, the court has now re- voked TM's planning permit to construct offices and a restaurant on public land along the prome- nade. In February, the Court of Appeal highlighted a significant conflict of interest, as TM had acted both as the applicant and the reviewer of the permit. Additionally, the rul- ing noted that part of the project would have occupied public land without any alternative public land being offered in compensation. Despite the appeal, work on the site had already begun due to Mal- ta's current planning laws. Under the existing system, construction can begin even while an appeal is in progress. In 2023, Prime Minis- ter Robert Abela highlighted that current appeal laws do not make sense, the reform has so far stalled. But now, TM is facing pressure to pull down the building. Among the most vocal opponents was en- vironmental NGO, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), who called on the authorities to demolish the illegal building. Speaking to MaltaToday on the possibility that TM would go ahead with its project by ad- dressing the Court of Appeals' concerns, FAA coordinator and co-founder Astrid Vella bluntly stated, "There will be no compro- mise either on the part of the resi- dents, nor FAA." The NGO said that the au- thority should have known that the planning application was a non-starter, adding that the Plan- ning Authority commission board members who approved the per- mit should have followed the rules and policies. "They should also be investigated," Vella noted. Vella also explained that as things currently stand, the case re- flects very badly on TM and gov- ernment as a whole. "If the project goes ahead, it means that the public means nothing for TM and government," she added. In its replies, TM told MaltaTo- day that all expenses related to the application, design and architec- ture for the project were borne by the concessionaire. "TM did not pay any fees related to the development," a spokesper- son said. "Transport Malta remains fo- cussed on striking a balance be- tween the public interest and contractual obligations through a responsible and transparent ap- proach," the spokesperson said. INFRASTRUCTURE Malta has submitted plans for the con- struction of a new roundabout in front of Lidl supermarket on Triq tal-Barrani, in Zejtun. The creation of the new rounda- bout is a condition attached to the outline permit for a shopping mall proposed by the Schembri Barbros group, which aims to replace a batching plant behind Lidl super- market. The roundabout must be approved before a full develop- ment permit can be granted. The proposed roundabout will have a total diameter of 56 metres, including a dual-lane road that en- circles it, leaving the central island with a diameter of 31 metres. The majority of the land is al- ready government-owned; how- ever, 221 square metres are not yet under government ownership. Furthermore, plans foresee the transplanting or uprooting of a small number of trees and shrubs impacted by the new roundabout. Developers will pay half the costs In September 2024, the Planning Board capped the contribution re- quired from the Schembri Barbros group for the construction of the roundabout at 48.5% of the total cost. When approving the project in principle through an outline per- mit in March, the Planning Board tied the shopping mall's develop- ment to a condition requiring the roundabout to be "upgraded and completed prior to the commence- ment of works on the commercial hub development." The condition also stated that "the expenses for the highway upgrade are to be fully borne by the developer." However, the Schembri Barbros Group later requested a reconsid- eration of this condition, arguing that it was "not fair and equitable" and did not accurately reflect the transport impact of the approved development. Transport Malta accepted the developer's request, as studies indicated that the new shopping mall would generate 49% of total peak-hour traffic. According to the approved plans, the retail and leisure complex will be built over three floors. Two lev- els of underground parking will ac- commodate 1,014 parking spaces. In addition to shops, the shop- ping hub will feature an under- ground gymnasium and a child- care centre. The upper floor will house food, beverage, and retail outlets. The existing Lidl super- market will be retained and ex- panded. Work on the site had already begun despite a pending appeal (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) New roundabout proposal in Triq tal-Barrani linked to shopping mall development Plans for a new roundabout in front of Lidl supermarket in Triq tal-Barrani have been submitted, with the development tied to a proposed shopping mall that will replace a batching plant