Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/244624
4 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 JANUARY 2014 Naxxar 'trade fair' village to be fully pedestrianised JAMES DEBONO Developers of the 'Maltese village' that will be constructed on the site of the former trade fair have already reduced building heights down to six floors, from the originally proposed eight presented the application. But DeMicoli said the plans are constantly being updated and the developers intend holding a public exhibition when these plans are finalised. The architect, whose projects include the Portomaso marina and Janzour's Palm City in Libya, also said the entire project will be pedestrianised, with all parking and vehicular traffic going underground. Addressing one of the main concerns for Naxxar residents, DeMicoli claims the project will help alleviate the parking problems of the village. "We are certain that this project will provide Naxxar with ample parking, way beyond the project's require- ments," Demicoli says, adding that the parking will relieve St Lucy Street and Naxxar in general of its current lack of parking. He dismissed criticism that the project was "too massive", pointing out that the coverage and density as determined by the local plan was much higher. While the total gross area allocated in the local plan for development on the former trade fair grounds was 116,250 square metres, the project's footprint has been reduced to 76,180 square metres. "We want to propose a higher quality development with less density which would allow for more green space," DeMicoli says, adding that heights had to be increased slightly. CHILDCARE COURSE IN GOZO THE MINISTRY FOR GOZO AND THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING CORPORATION (ETC) CHILDCARE COURSE AT MQF LEVEL 4 IN GOZO The Ministry for Gozo in collaboration with The Employment and Training Corporation will be offering a Childcare course at MQF Level 4 in Gozo. Interested applicants may collect an application or request further information from the ETC offices at Sir Arturo Mercieca Street, Victoria, Gozo. Applications close on Friday 31st January 2014 at 12:00pm CET. CALL FOR THE PROVISION OF TRAINING SERVICES IN CHILDCARE (GOZO) The Ministry for Gozo in collaboration with The Employment and Training Corporation notifies that it will be accepting applications from qualified trainers in connection with training in Childcare. A copy of the document can be downloaded from the ETC website www.etc.gov.mt. For further information interested parties are invited to send an email at training.etc@gov.mt. Applications complete with all the required documents can be sent on training.etc@gov.mt, or submitted by hand to the following address: The Employment and Training Corporation Project Leader – Childcare course Sir Arturo Mercieca Street, Victoria, Gozo Applications are to be sent by not later than Friday 31st January 2014, 12:00pm CET "We felt it was better to add a little more height to increase the green areas. However, our current Ray DeMicoli thinking calls for a maximum of six floors at the highest point of the project." The additional storey above the five-floor limit, DeMicoli said, will give Naxxar a focal point that is "typical of all Mediterranean villages and historic towns." "I think there is sufficient demand for this sort of development… it is clear that the current building stock does not match the expectations of the market," he said when asked about the over-supply of apartments on the Maltese market. "Many properties available today are of an inferior quality, which leads to frustration amongst buyers as they are often unable to find properties to match their expectations. What we are proposing here PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE SCINTILLLA A massive project set over the former Naxxar trade fair grounds will be integrated into the urban fabric through small alleyways and the continuation of streets that will be fully pedestrainised, architect Ray DeMicoli, who is responsible for the design of the project, has told MaltaToday. DeMicoli has also revealed that the highest building in the project will not surpass six floors – last week, MaltaToday reported original plans that foresaw heights of up to eight floors, deviating from Naxxar local plan limits of five floors. DeMicoli clarified that the current thinking is to limit the project to a maximum height of six floors, justifying the additional storey over and above current height limits by saying that "every village needs a focal point" as is the case with all Maltese villages. The original plans presented to MEPA in December showed 24 blocks, including two eight-storey blocks, five six-storey blocks, two five-storey blocks, seven four-storey blocks, four three-storey blocks and four two-storey blocks. The local plan limits heights in Naxxar to four floors, with an exception of five storeys in the north-west area of the proposed project. It will also have supermarket, a retail centre and a local centre on the westernmost part of the site. A lowlying boutique hotel and a number of one-storey villas, will occupy the easternmost area which is closest to Palazzo Parisio, the stately home that is run by the heirs of the Marquis John Scicluna – Christiane Ramsay Pergola and Marcus Marshall – who is a village where all properties will benefit from natural light, with none of the rooms looking into shafts. We would like to place emphasis on the social fabric which is the basis of our country and reinforce it through our architectural contribution." DeMicoli is still keeping the impressions of his Maltese village a secret for the time being. "The project is in a very early stage, with the development brief application only having been submitted to MEPA in December. The project is still in a fluid state and its architectural form has yet to evolve, as we meet stakeholders, MEPA officials, and involve the general public." jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Birkirkara Local Council 2nd Floor, Birkirkara Civic Centre, Tumas Fenech street, Birkirkara.BKR 2527 Tel: 21442626/21485041 Fax: 21442644 BIRKIRKARA Email: birkirkara.lc@gov.mt + The Birkirkara Local Council notifies the general public that sealed documents marked with the relevant reference are to be deposited in the appropriate box, at the Local Council's Administrative Office, 2nd Floor, Birkirkara Civic Centre, Tumas Fenech Street, Birkirkara BKR2527 by not later than noon on the 21st February 2014 for:Tender for the purchase or Lease of second hand Vehicles (BLC001/2014) Tender for the services of an Architect & Civil Engineer 'Perit' (BLC002/2014) Tender for the services of a Lawyer (BLC003/2014) Fee !50 Documents will be opened at the time of the closing date in the presence of the public at Birkirkara Local Council. The Council reserves the right to refuse any proposal, even the most advantageous one. For further details please contact the Deputy Executive Secretary on the Local Council's telephone numbers 21442626. Arthur Pizzuto Agent Executive Secretary