Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/506094
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 MAY 2015 8 News JAMES DEBONO A new, 10-level building is being proposed on the site of the present Portomaso coffee shop opposite the former playground in the vicinity of the existing 23 storey tower. The project proposed by Spinola Development Company – a subsidi- ary of Tumas Group – will consist of an extension of the existing cafeteria and nine floors of offices over and above the cafeteria. As would be expected, it will have modern features – one of the inno- vative energy saving features of the new development will be the use of high resistance architectural fabric with solar control. Pop out frame- less windows will also be used in the glazing. The application presented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on Monday is still at a preliminary stage and the author- ity still has to assess whether the development conforms with plan- ning policies. Paceville is one of the localities where over 10 storey buildings can be allowed according to a policy regulating building heights which was approved last year. Buildings are also allowed to be higher than the height limitation established in the local plan. The original permit for the Por- tomaso development was issued in 1996. Various changes to the approved blocks were approved along the years. The entire area was leased by the state to the developers for Lm191,000 (€444,910) until 2014, and eventually sold to the devel- opers for Lm800,000 in 2006. In 2014 a permit was also issued for 46 new villas set on an artificial lagoon. JAMES DEBONO THE Malta Environment and Plan- ning Authority will be setting the parameters for development on a 12,241 square metre site at Ta' Mawua, in Gharb, Gozo, which had been added to development bounda- ries during the controversial 'ration- alisation exercise' of 2006. The site, as big as two football pitches, will be divided in 21 land parcels where development will not be exceeding two storeys. The Rationalisation Exercise Doc- ument – the document regulating development in new building sites added to the development bounda- ries in 2006 – stated that the inclu- sion of the site within the develop- ment zone was subject to the result of a "comprehensive archaeological study". This meant that a holistic study had to be conducted before MEPA issues guidelines for development in this area through a planning control application. But at a meeting held in August 2012 between MEPA, the Superin- tendence for Cultural Heritage, and the architect in charge of the appli- cation, it was agreed that instead of a comprehensive study covering the whole area an archaeological evalu- ation was to be carried out by each landowner individually, when apply- ing for a development permit. MEPA will now be setting the pa- rameters for development on the site through a planning control applica- tion in absence of a comprehensive study. The Planning Directorate is recom- mending that Development Planning Applications within the site area are subject to an archaeological evalua- tion as required by the Superintend- ence of the Culture Heritage. New Portomaso tower proposed Gozo set to lose more land to 2006 building zone extension 2123 4710 www.mita.gov.mt For further information, contact the Contracts Management Department The above tenders are obtainable from the Electronic Public Procurement System (www.etenders.gov.mt) - Provision, Installation and Maintenance of a Photovoltaic Plant System – T034/15 Issued on: 28 April 2015 / Closing on: 29 May 2015 A site visit will be held at MITA Head Oce, Gattard House, National Road, Blata l-Bajda at 10:00 hours (CET) on Friday 8th May 2015. - Provision of a Secure Connectivity Solution for Government – T002/15 Issued on: 27 April 2015 / Closing on 22 June 2015 A brieng meeting will be held at MITA Data Centre, Old Railway Track, St. Venera SVN 90919 at 10:00 hours (CET) on Wednesday 13th May 2015 Economic operators interested in participating in these call for tenders are to note that workshops are organised by the Department of Contracts at the premises of Centre for Development Research and Training (CDRT), San Salvatore Bastion, Sa Maison Road, Floriana FRN1610. During these workshops, economic operators will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with compiling and submitting their tender online. More information is available in the tender document. MITA NOTIFIES THAT OFFERS WILL BE RECEIVED FOR: Invitation to TENDER MEPA to set parameters through a planning control application The cafeteria that is set to be the site of a new nine-storey tower beneath the Portomaso tower