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maltatoday, Sunday, 29 June 2014 News 9 White Rocks: Third time lucky? White Rocks is Natura 2000 site 'b ut not a nature reserve' – minister nance the project's added value to the country. While Smart City was hyped for its job creating potential, the White Rocks project was hyped for its advantages to local sports. MEPA also started changing the 1995 development brief to accom- modate the new project, but these changes were never approved. The parliamentary secretary for sports, Clyde Puli had gone on record stating that without the real estate component, the project was not fea- sible. "That is why we had to compensate with the units. The financial model would not work without this and the land is the price the government was ready to sacrifice for sports." However in the subsequent years, talks between the government and the investors failed to yield any tan- gible results. During a TV debate on the eve of the 2013 election, Nationalist Party deputy leader Simon Busuttil admit- ted the project was not implemented because it "did not offer enough ben- efits for the country". On his part former Prime Minis- ter Lawrence Gonzi insisted that the government was not prepared to go ahead with the agreement at all costs. While this may suggest that the Gonzi administration was not will- ing to accommodate developers at any cost, the hype given to the project in 2010 contributed to the percep- tion that the government was unable to deliver on its own promises. The White Rocks debacle came to sym- bolise the ineffectiveness of the Gonzi administration in getting things mov- ing. Not surprisingly the new Labour government has moved on to deliver where the previous government had failed. But this comes with one significant difference. Unlike the 1999 public tender the new call for expressions of interest, which is probably directed at foreign investors, does not exclude real estate development. Moreover the real estate component is not even seen as a means to an end as was the case with the sports complex propos- al, but an end in itself. The government is targeting "a vil- lage of luxury units" that will be fully developed and funded by the private sector. "We want a lifestyle com- munity village where White Rocks is transformed into a luxurious facility, complemented with services and rec- reational programmes for all ages," Economy Minister Chris Cardona said. "After years of empty promises on White Rocks, this government is committed to see this project through. It is a prime site which has been left abandoned for years. This project will start during this legisla- ture," the minister said. The Natura 2000 obstacle One obstacle for the Gonzi plan to turn White Rocks into a sports vil- lage was how to fit in 300 units and the promised sports facilities with- out encroaching on the surrounding garigue and agricultural land. One major complication was the inclusion of a tract of kartsland between the AFM shooting range and the aban- doned White Rocks complex. The area is part of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which en- joys grade 3 protection. This level of conservation excludes residential and commercial development but allows minor interventions aimed at pro- tecting the SAC. Back in 2001 MEPA had rejected the development of a golf course which included this tract of land. Just days after the project was launched in 2010 the government was faced by questions from MaltaToday on the compatibility of the project with the Natura 2000 designation of part of the site. MaltaToday also re- vealed that the site area proposed by the government also coincided with a cemetery extension in Pembroke. The government's reaction was to ask MEPA to devise a new plan for the area but no changes were ever made. This means that the 1995 de- velopment brief remains the only valid planning document regulating development in this area. Neither does the local plan approved in 2006 refer to any new development on the White Rocks site. The project proposed by the cur- rent government may even extend to other protected areas as the site area involved is eight hectares larger than that proposed in 1999. The government has so far failed to publish a site map delineating the confines of the proposed site. The site area of the current project amounts to 449,885 square metres (45 hectares) of which only 135,660 square metres are build up. This does not mean that the whole space will be built up. Chris Cardona has acknowledged that the 65-year-concession includes a Natura 2000 site. Asked what heights will be permitted, he replied that regulations will be followed and adhered to. Cardona claims that the project will enhance the environment, adding that preference is being shown to ho- tels with suites instead of rooms, huge gardens with fountains and a tranquil ambience, an environmental vision worthy of a Dubai enthusiast. Not surprisingly, when asked whether the project fits in with the government's Dubai vision, Cardona replied in the affirmative, referring to "historical" similarities between Malta and the rich emirate. Contrary to what happened in 1999 when the call for tenders was based on a development brief approved in 1995, no clear planning parameters were issued to guide development on this zone before the call for expres- sions of interest was issued this week. This suggests that future planning policies to guide development in this area will be tailor made to accommo- date the chosen bidder. Artist's impression of the proposed White Rocks project sensitive ecological and historical areas in the land. But while prom- ising to respect the 1995 brief, the economy ministry said that the EOI "should be seen as an exploration of innovative ideas" which have to be implemented within the framework set by the development brief. "So the government will need to consider all proposals and together with the various stakeholders, seek to find a balanced solution which respects the concepts defined in the White Rocks Development Brief," the ministry said. Will the 1995 brief be amended? Cardona says it is still too early to decide that before studying all the proposals and consultations are conducted with all stakeholders. A spokesperson for the Economy Ministry said that White Rocks' status as Natura 2000 site does not necessarily preclude all sort of development