Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537750
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 JULY 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The architectural designs were drawn up by Spadolini Ar- chitetti, an Italian firm based in Florence, in conjunction with Maltese firm Architecture360. The proposed project fronts both Triq l-Industrija and Triq il-Madonna tad-Dawl, and lies directly adjacent to the STMi- croelectronics factory to the south. It also abuts the airport's Flight Path Protection Zone. The shopping complex will be distributed over four above- ground levels, supported by three basement levels that will accommodate a total of 1,221 car parking spaces, five van spaces, and 116 bicycle/scooter bays. Vehicular access to the site will be from Triq il-Madonna tad-Dawl, which will also serve as the main exit point, while a separate service vehicle exit is planned onto Triq l-Indus- trija. Pedestrian access will be provided from both streets. The building heights will vary between two and four storeys, with the highest structures reaching 18.5 metres. Several roof gardens are also included in the plans. The proposed development will have a built footprint of 1 1 , 9 4 3 s q . m — a p p r o x i m a t e - ly 37% of the site—with a gross floor area (GFA) of 102,871sq.m. The existing Elbros operations currently carried out on site will be relocated to a new pre-cast facility in Ħal Far. Traffic studies conducted by ADI limited, an environmental consultancy firm, conclude that the project is expected to gener- ate an additional 4,526 vehicles in average annual daily traffic (AADT), with corresponding emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), PM2.5, and PM10. The Environment and Re- sources Authority (ERA) has requested an Environmental Impact Study which has to as- sess the impacts on traffic and air quality. The project will involve the demolition of 7,000 cubic me- tres of stone and the excavation of approximately 180,000 cubic metres of Lower Globigerina Limestone. Some of the exca- vated material will be reused on site, with the rest either recy- cled or disposed of at a licensed inert waste facility. Most of the site lies within a Groundwater Safeguard Zone, and an active borehole is pres- ent on the premises. The land also falls within the boundaries of the airport's bird sanctuary. The nearest cultural heritage feature is a Class B menhir lo- cated approximately 500 metres to the south on Triq Valletta. In addition, part of the site's west- ern boundary falls within an Ar- chaeologically Sensitive Area, as identified in the South Malta Local Plan. Existing vegetation on site includes alien species that will be removed as part of the land- scaping works. However, ma- ture Ficus macrocarpa trees on public land just south of the site and Pinus halepensis trees along the western boundary will be retained, as will existing rubble walls. The new bounda- ry treatments will be designed to reflect the site's surrounding limestone landscape. Furthermore, ERA has con- cluded that the proposed de- velopment requires a full Envi- ronmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA will need to address land use, landscape and visual impact; construc- tion-phase impacts on geology, geo-environment, and hydroge- ology; traffic-related emissions and air quality; and the design of landscaping and external lighting. Project proposes mixed-use commercial complex with outlet village and hotel Photomontage of the proposed complex The site of the Elbros yard (triangular plot) with the STM factory bottom-right