Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/321747
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 JUNE 2014 6 News Local plans to be approved by end- 2014 will determine the way Malta and Gozo will look over the next years Sliema townscape 'prejudiced' by new development JAMES DEBONO THE Malta Environment and Plan- ning Authority has approved two ad- ditional floors in Howard Street and Arturo Mercieca Street in Sliema, which according to its own internal panel on cultural heritage will preju- dice the "aesthetics" of this part of Sliema's townscape, which is charac- terised by one-storey townhouses. The Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee (CHAG) noted that there are no constructions above one storey in this part of Sliema. "The committee notes that the construction of the extra floors will prejudice the aesthetics of the area." The development involves the demolition of three separate build- ings which include three traditional townhouses in the classical style and built in the inter-war period to make way for 12 new residential units. The Planning Directorate justified the approval of this development by stating that although it took note of the CHAG's objection, the local plan clearly permitted development con- sisting of four-storey development in this particular zone of Sliema. Moreover, it noted that the archi- tect has revised plans to ensure that the development does not look like one big mass but as a "vertical exten- sion of a number of separate build- ings". The Sliema local council had ob- jected to this development, describ- ing it as a case of "over development" in an official representation sent to MEPA in December 2013. "The surroundings have already been subjected to much develop- ment lately to the great detriment of residents, a number of which are ail- ing elderly people." The Sliema council expressed its opposition to further development of apartment blocks in the locality due to the adverse impact on resi- dents' health and quality of life and the town's traffic management and infrastructure. CALL FOR TENDERS As part of the project ESF4.220 – "Developing a Culture of Rights through Capacity Building", the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) is reques ting submissions for the provision of: PUBLICATION REFERENCE: DT-NCPE/08/2014 TENDER TITLE: Service Tender for the provision of Venues, Refreshments coming at least partially from organic sources and Accommodation for ESF4.220 "Developing a Culture of Rights through Capacity Building" Any queries should be sent to equality@gov.mt by not later than Thursday 12 th June, 2014 specifying the publication reference and the tender title. Clarification Meetings will be held on Thursday 5 th June, 2014 at 10.00 am at NCPE premises. Closing Date for submission of tenders is Monday 23 rd June, 2014 at 10.00 am. All submissions should be hand-delivered to our offices. Terms of reference can be obtained from our offices or from our website (see details below). PUBLICATION REFERENCE: DT-NCPE/10/2014 TENDER TITLE: Service Tender for the provision of Publicity for ESF4.220 "Developing a CultureofRightsthoughCapacityBuilding" Any queries should be sent to equality@gov.mt by not later than Thursday 12 th June, 2014 specifying the publication reference and the tender title. Clarification Meetings will be held on Thursday 5 th June, 2014 at 13.00hrs at NCPE premises. Closing Date for submission of tenders is Monday 23 rd June, 2014 at 10.00 am. All submissions should be hand-delivered to our offices. Terms of reference can be obtained from our offices or from our website (see details below). Interested bidders are to register their interest with NCPE so that they can be notified immediately of any communication/clarification issued in relation to such tender. NCPE Gattard House, National Road, Blata l-Bajda HMR 9010 Tel: 2590 3850 Fax: 2590 3851 E-mail: equality@gov.mt W eb: www.equality.gov.mt Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life Project part-financed by the European Union European Social Fund (ESF) Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Massive 5,550 submissions on new local plans JAMES DEBONO THE Malta Environment and Plan- ning Authority has received 5,500 written submissions from the gen- eral public between July and Sep- tember last year on the proposed local plans. The new local plans will be issued for public consultation by the end of 2014 and the intention is to have them approved by mid-2015. The local plans will follow the di- rection given in the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Planning (SPEC), CEO Johann Buttigieg said in MEPA's annual report. Changes to the local plans will re- flect "the needs of the business sec- tor, the need for environmental en- hancement and protection and the needs of citizens," Buttigieg wrote. New policies regulating outside- development-zone (ODZ) devel- opment and firework factories are expected to be also approved by the end of the year. During 2013, MEPA received a total of 2,000 reports on illegali- ties, which amount to 40 a week. Of these 462 dealt with illegalities in ODZs. According to Enforcement Director Alexander Borg, 272 of these cases were resolved without the need for further action. The corner of Howard Street, Sliema: an area characterised by one-storey townhouses