Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/523863
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 7 JUNE 2015 News 11 there will no longer be patches of sunshine." The EPS update (based on a maxi- mum height of 23 storeys) also as- sessed the impact on the landscape. The greatest visual impact was felt from a viewpoint near the Preluna Hotel where the skyline will be bro- ken by the tower as well as by the Fort Cambridge development. The impact on this spot is deemed to be major. Since the site sits behind the Fort Cambridge and Midi developments, the view from Is-Sur tal-Inglizi in Valletta was deemed to be "minor". The development was not vis- ible from Bighi and Vittoriosa and "barely noticeable" from Mdina and from Smart City. Studies presented by the develop- ers when 23 storeys were proposed estimate that the project will in- crease peak flows in Qui-Si-Sana from the present 24,444 to 28,874 vehicles. The proposal was revised follow- ing the approval of the new heights policy which identified the Tigné peninsula as one of the sites where tall buildings over 10 storeys can be permitted. In March MEPA informed objec- tors that it was awaiting the submis- sion of a revised proposal in view of the new policy on building heights. Tigné as the new Dubai The Tigné peninsula, which al- ready includes the 17-storey high Fortina Hotel and the 20-storey high Fort Cambridge apartment blocks is one of the six localities where tall buildings can be developed. The other five are Gzira, Qawra, Paceville, Marsa and Mriehel. The Tigné peninsula was included in the high-rise zone, despite the concern expressed by the Reha- bilitation Projects Office (RPO), the government office responsible for protecting Valletta's UNESCO World Heritage status, that this could endanger its unique status. The RPO questioned the inclusion of Tigné as one of six locations suit- able for over 11-storey buildings. "Tigné is within the buffer zone and immediate context of Val- letta and a significant change in its character will severely affect that of Valletta itself – highly threatening its World Heritage status," a report presented to the Malta Environ- ment and Planning Authority by ar- chitects Mirielle Fsadni and Wendy Jo Attard warned. The report warns that the World Heritage status is not an "automatic right" but can be revoked, as was about to happen to Cologne's Ca- thedral following the proposal of a high-rise building in its vicinity. MEPA replied to the RPO's sub- mission by pointing out that high buildings already exist in Tigné, which has been designated as a commercial hub. According to MEPA these two factors weigh in favour of locating more tall buildings in the area. "The designation of Tigné as an appropri- ate location for tall buildings could be an opportunity to consider it ho- listically with the aim of improving the views from Valletta." For MEPA the issue at stake is whether "more tall buildings will re- sult in more harm to the quality of views from and towards Valletta" or contribute to a "more sensitive and holistic approach" to the visual im- pact on Valletta. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt The Parliamentary Secretariat for EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds, within the Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto, notifies that a call for tenders for the Provision of an Accreditation Solution Including all Ancillary Services for Malta's Presidency of the Council of the EU 2017 has been issued. Copies of the tender documents may be obtained from the Department of Contracts, Notre Dame Ravelin, Floriana FRN 1600, Malta. Tel: (356) 21220212 Fax: (356) 21247681 Email: info@contracts.gov.mt. The documents are also available to download online from www.etenders.gov.mt. CALL FOR TENDERS FOR THE PROVISION OF AN ACCREDITATION SOLUTION INCLUDING ALL $1&,//$5<6(59,&(6)250$/7$·635(6,'(1&< OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU 2017 PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR THE EU PRESIDENCY 2017 AND EU FUNDS of the Council of the 2017 Maltese Presidency European Union to dwarf Portomaso The Townsquare tower will increase shadowing on open spaces along Qui- Si-Sana seafront ... while Fort Cambridge will now see a 40-storey tower stand next to it thanks to MEPA's new high- rise policy.