Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/537300
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 JULY 2015 News 9 between a site-specific brief which sets the parameters for develop- ment in a part of Sliema, and a ge- neric policy affecting hotel heights in the whole country. In its reply, MEPA failed to speci- fy which "current policies" apply to the proposed development. But MaltaToday is informed that the new development proposal will be judged according to the policy regulating hotel heights, which al- lows hotels an unlimited number of storeys over what is permitted in local plans. The site is located in Tigné, one of the five zones where building of over 11 storeys can rise using the floor-area ratio, the formula use to make buildings higher of more open space is created around them. But there is clearly not enough open space left in the barracks site to allow as compensation for a 40- storey high building. Landmark Portomaso decision paves the way The question on whether new policies supersede older commit- ments was the subject of a decision by the appeals tribunal (Environ- ment and Planning Review Tribu- nal) handed down in December 2013. The tribunal, appointed by the newly-elected Labour administra- tion, allowed the construction of 46 villas in a new lagoon at Porto- maso, despite a prior MEPA com- mitment not to allow any further development on the site. Back in 1995 the planning au- thority had imposed a condition in the original permit, prohibiting further development on the site. In 2012, MEPA cited this commit- ment as the reason for refusing the application for the villas. On appeal, the tribunal held that that condition was no longer ap- plicable since the 2006 local plan, which came in force after the con- dition was applied, designated the site of the proposed villas as devel- opable. So the local plan was ap- plied and the condition restricting the development was ignored. Legal sources say MEPA seems to favour this interpretation too. Not only has MEPA failed to con- test the decision of the tribunal in court, but it also used this interpre- tation itself in granting permits on sites which had similar conditions. Since MEPA is now preparing a new local plan it can still introduce a specific policy regulating devel- opment on this site. In this case the local plan policy would prevail over any other policy, including that regulating hotel heights. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt JAMES DEBONO AN extra storey is being proposed for the scheduled Mtarfa isolation hospital which is being earmarked as an old people's home. The development will also in- clude two storeys below the build- ing and an extension over an area which includes 20 olive trees and some pine trees. Plans submitted to the Malta En- vironment and Planning Authority for the 148-bed private old people's home this week also foresee a new surface car park for 57 cars, instead of the existing cul de sac. Although the hospital is within development zones, the area ear- marked for the car park is presently covered with trees. The 20 olive trees will be replanted in a proposed garden area while the pine trees will be replanted at a lower level. The rear wing of the hospital, which was set on fire by vandals in the 1990s, is now set for demoli- tion. Architect and freeport chairman Robert Sarsero, who also serves as a member of MEPA's appeals tri- bunal, has drawn the plans for the project. The isolation hospital was one of four historical buildings earmarked for restoration for commercial pur- poses in an expression of interest issued this year. Malta Healthcare Caterers, a sub- sidiary of the Seabank Group, was the recommended bidder for the isolation hospital after an expres- sion of interest. The hospital was built by the British in 1924 and was considerably damaged in the ar- son. The company plans to restore the structure and convert it into a home for the elderly, specialising in dementia patients. MEPA scheduled the isolation hospital in Mtarfa as a Grade 2 na- tional monument on July 12, 2008. Normally only internal alterations can be made to grade 2 scheduled buildings. A neglected architectural gem The isolation hospital was built as part of the Mtarfa Military Hospital and barracks. It is a single floor building having a facade in the classical order with pilasters instead of columns. It has identical front and rear wings with pilastered verandas supporting an arched central bay. The veranda is roofed over four supporting pillars at left and right, with the corners formed of a cluster of three pilasters. A central wing is connected to the two flanking wings by a closed corridor of matching exterior. The wing consists of the power and boiler rooms. A frieze and a cornice run along the entire roof. The arson was concentrated in the rear wing of the hospital and some rooms, but the veranda and the exterior fabric suffered consid- erable damage. The slabs in some of the smaller rooms collapsed. The remainder of the building is still in a good condition although neglected. New storey proposed on scheduled Mtarfa isolation hospital CAR LOAN With a Car Loan from Banif Bank, getting behind the wheel has never been easier. And I can sit back and enjoy the ride while Banif secures my current lifestyle. Personal Loans Plus Protection include an insurance cover taken out by the Bank in its name to protect myself and my loved ones in case of unforeseen circumstances. BELIEVE: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY PERSONAL LOANS PLUS PROTECTION rates from 5 % p.a. * * The loan is subject to the Bank's lending criteria. 'Personal Loans Plus Protection' incorporate an insurance cover that protects clients in case of accidental death, temporary or permanent total disablement or redundancy. Banif Bank (Malta) plc shall be the policy holder. Details relating to the policy are available on the Bank's website (banif.com.mt). A typical example is based on a loan of ¤10,000 repayable through monthly instalments of ¤126.93 over a period of 8 years at a variable interest rate of 5% p.a. Loan is subject to an administration fee of 4% on the monthly instalment. The total sum payable throughout the term of the loan is ¤12,672.96, with an APR of 6.57% p.a. Banif Bank (Malta) plc is a credit institution licensed to undertake the business of banking by the MFSA in terms of the Banking Act 1994. Tigné's The former isolation hospital at Mtarfa, to be converted for old people's use Artist's impression of the planned 40-storey GAP Holdings hotel