Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541835
10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 DECEMBER 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Notifika t'Intenzjoni Mediclean JV tiddikjara l-intenzjoni biex tirreġistra għal-Liċenzja tal-Impjiegi skont L.N. 270 tal-2023 Att dwar L-Impjieg Industrijali (Kap. 452) Regolamenti tal- 2023 dwar l-Aġenziji tal-Impjieg. L-attivitajiet proposti jiffukaw fuq il-provvista tal-ħaddiema bil-ħsieb li jkunu disponibbli għall-parti terza li tinkludi: 1. Servizzi ta' xogħol temporanju li jinvolvu l-provvista ta' ħaddiema lill-parti terza. 2. Il-parti terza tassenja x-xogħol lill-ħaddiema temporanji. 3. Servizzi t'esternalizzazzjoni li jinvolvu l-provvista ta' ħaddiema lill-parti terza. 4. L-aġenzija tal-esternalizzazzjoni , inklużi l-kuntratturi u s-sottokuntratturi, tissorvelja, tidderieġi u tikkontrolla lill-ħaddiema. Indirizz uffiċjali reġistrat: Ozo Group Business Centre, Triq il-Mastrudaxxa, Qormi Specialist Group Cleaners Ltd. (C 65296), Ozo Malta Ltd. (C9023), L'Operosa Soc. Coop a R.L. (00886090372), Diemme s.c.a.r.l (A187235) Heritage watchdog hits out at Zejtun terracotta factory plans A major residential redevel- opment proposed for an old property in Triq Marsaxlokk in Żejtun which used to host a terracotta pots manufactur- ing factory, has been met with strong objection from the Su- perintendence of Cultural Her- itage (SCH) The heritage watcdog warned that the project is fundamen- tally incompatible with its loca- tion inside the Urban Conser- vation Area (UCA). The application presented by Davs Ltd, proposes the dem- olition of the existing struc- tures at Nos. 31, 33 and 35 Triq Marsaxlokk, while retaining the façade's architectural fea- tures and a niche statue of St Paul. The project also seeks to restore and relocate a surviving milling mechanism found in- side the property. According to the plans, the site would be excavated to ac- commodate two basement lev- els of garages with a capacity of 43 parking spaces, as well as reservoirs. Above ground, developers are seeking per- mission for two maisonettes at ground-floor level, each with its own pool, together with a communal pool at the rear of the development. The propos- al also includes four first-floor apartments and four penthous- es on a recessed top floor, all of which would have private roof- top pools. But in a strongly worded as- sessment, the SCH said the proposal is "totally objection- able in principle" and "cannot be further considered" due to its scale, intensity and demoli- tion demands. Vernacular features The superintendence point- ed out that the property forms part of the Żejtun UCA and is historically recorded on the 1914 Ordnance Sheet. The property is distinguished by the statue of St Paul, while several rooms at the front still retain timber-beamed ceilings. SCH officers had previous- ly inspected the site in June 2022 during the processing of an earlier application present- ed by another applicant which foresaw a more limited exten- sion catering for one dwelling approved in 2023. The inspec- tion confirmed that the build- ing had served multiple func- tions through time, possibly beginning as an agricultural or animal husbandry related structure before becoming an industrial site in the early 20th century, as evidenced by the re- mains of a kiln. While much of the rear fabric is described as dilapidated and of low architectural quality, the SCH stresses that notable vernacular elements survive, including the central pivot and beam associated with a milling mechanism, identified in "room 7" of the property. Earlier engagement 'ignored' The SCH noted that during the assessment of the earlier application, the property's his- torical and vernacular value had been recognised, and de- velopment was steered toward proposals that would retain sig- nificant fabric and respect the cultural context of the UCA. In this light, the current pro- posal—calling for total demo- lition except for the façade—is seen as a reversal of previous planning direction. The watch- dog said it "strongly objects to the total demolition as pro- posed," insisting that the loss of fabric would undermine the very heritage value previously acknowledged. Beyond the demolition is- sue, the SCH also criticised the intensity and massing of the proposed development. The construction of extensive basements, multiple floors of residential units and a series of private and communal pools was deemed inappropriate to the scale and character of the conservation area. The proposed volumes, design and overall height, it said, run counter to the planning policies governing such sensitive areas. Given the site's cultural sig- nificance, its location within an Urban Conservation Area, and the extent of demolition and new construction proposed, the SCH concluded that the appli- cation is "totally objectionable in principle" and cannot be en- tertained further. The Planning Authority will now have to weigh the proposal against the SCH's strong objec- tions and other submissions. First above: Facade of the ex factory. Second above: The mill structure in Zejtun