Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/612918
8 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2015 News 8 WIN the book To win answer the right question tick the right answer/answers? ❏ Inga Boissevain was Dutch ❏ Inga Boissevain lived in Malta and spoke Maltese ❏ Inga Boissevain was married to Jeremy Boissevain ❏ Inga Boissevain was Swedish ❏ A Maltese Marriage is historical fiction Send your answers by 17 December to: MediaToday, WIN A BOOK FROM Choppy Books, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann The winner of the set of four books by Arturo Caruana Are Bernice Cohen from Kalkara and Sandra Grech from Attard published by Choppy Books A Maltese Marriage Road Devil's umbrellas get permit JAMES DEBONO THE Malta Environment and Plan- ning Authority's Environment Plan- ning Commission has disregarded the advice of the Planning Directo- rate to refuse a permit for four 3.7 metre high umbrellas and underly- ing chairs and tables next to the ki- osk Road Devil. The umbrellas and chairs are in place. The Planning Directorate advised a refusal, insisting that the devel- opment obstructed the public en- joyment of the Ghar id-Dud prom- enade and thus was in breach of the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED). The size of the four canvas umbrellas was considered excessive by the Plan- ning Directorate. The Sliema council had also ob- jected to the development, describ- ing it as a "loss of valuable public space". But the owner, Anthony Camilleri, who presently occupies 63 square metres of land was asked to limit the floor space area for the outside seating to 52 square metres and to delineate the boundary of the kiosk with removable planters Architect Robert Musumeci, who also serves as planning advi- sor to the government, represented Camilleri. The EPC justified overturning the recommendation of the case officer to refuse the permit, arguing that two other kiosks in the area had been granted similar permits in the past. The Malta Tourism Authority had called for the approval of a master plan for the area to set clear limits to the number of chairs and tables in the area. Instead of waiting for the formula- tion of such a plan, the MEPA im- posed a condition stating that "in the event of the implementation of any Master Plan for the area, the outside seating and umbrellas shall be removed without any rights of compensation to applicant". The EPC argued that the proposed seating area would have a minimum effect on the pedestrian movement and enjoyment of the promenade and thus was considered in line with objective 1 of the SPED. While the case officer argued against approving the permit be- cause the outside catering area is of a permanent nature, the EPC con- cluded that this was not the case since the tables, chairs and umbrel- las can be removed. MEPA is currently proposing a policy which bans new kiosks from having tables and chairs. Livestock farm to be upgraded into two warehouses JAMES DEBONO IN a bizarre twist a case officer re- port is recommending the trans- formation of a livestock farm in Qormi into two rectangular ware- houses in an ODZ location desig- nated as an agricultural zone in the local plan. The application was presented by Paul Gauci, owner of Frank Au- to Dealers showrooms in Mdina road. The previous owner of the site had proposed a farm shop and a visitor attraction on the same site in 2013 but this application was withdrawn. The MEPA board will tomorrow be discussing this permit, which has the blessing of the Planning Directorate but is opposed by the Environment Directorate. The MEPA case officer is claim- ing that substituting the farm with warehouses represents an envi- ronmental improvement over the existing management and opera- tion of the site. The proposed warehouses at ta'Farzina cover a footprint of ap- proximately 1,300sqm, whereas the proposed open yard covers a foot- print of 2,088sqm. The premises include the provision of 13 park- ing spaces, a reservoir, loading and unloading area, and a refuse collection area. This will replace an existing livestock farm with a built up footprint of 930 sqm. The project foresees the landscaping of the area with 31 trees. The Environment Protection Directorate has adamantly op- posed the application, arguing that there is no justification for the proposed development in the countryside. It also argued that warehouses should be located in designated industrial areas. It also warned that the approval of this development would create a precedent for more development in this area. "Industrial development should be located within designated are- as, without further encroachment onto the rural environment," it argues. In a screening report the Direc- torate noted that although the surrounding area is characterized by industrial uses it is not clear whether all premises in question are covered by a permit. But the case officer has invoked the rural policy and design guide- lines of 2014 which permit the redevelopment of farms into com- mercial uses when these consti- tute an improvement for the envi- ronment. In such cases the applicant has to prove that the building in ques- tion either is covered by a permit or was constructed before 1978 and that the new building does not exceed the floor space of the exist- ing building. The existing building has a foot- print of 930 square metres. The warehouses will cover a footprint of 1,300 square metres. But the new building will decrease the floor space (the area covered on different floors) from 1,420 square metres to 1,300 square metres. This is because part of the present building is built over two storeys. The only permit for the existing farm, which was for a cow shed, was issued in 1962. The develop- ers claim that the built up area of 1,400 square metres is visible in the 1978 aerial photos, thus effectively legal according to the rural policy. Parts of the farm was also illegally covered by corrugated steel. They also argued that the farm is adjacent to two existing ware- houses and argued that the farm is incompatible with the surround- ing land uses. The Qormi Local council had objected to the development. The Local Council insisted that although similar developments exist in the area, this does not necessarily mean that one can add more developments for such use, particularly by converting a farm. This farm is also within an agricultural setting and in an out- side development zone. Thus such development could not be consid- ered unless a Planning Control Application is submitted and ap- proved. Furthermore, the Local Council believes that any proposed devel- opment for such farm should have a proposed usage more congruous to the surrounding agricultural setting, such as an agri-tourism project. The application is also be- ing contested by objectors arguing about the applicant's sole owner- ship over the land parcel. Leo Brincat warns against catastrophic future GABRIEL SCHEMBRI ENVIRONMENT Minister Leo Brincat said that it is up to the present world leaders to "steer the planet away from a cata- strophic future". Addressing the Climate Change Summit in Paris, Brin- cat said this meeting could provide the adequate political momentum and support to en- sure that those present did not leave Paris without a new legal- ly binding climate agreement in hand. He called on the states to transform words into concrete action. Brincat said that Malta, as a Member of the European Un- ion, was committed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in order to mitigate climate change. "The switch to a low carbon economy is characterised by a long-term vision," he said, while mentioning the steps Malta had to take in order to reach the greenhouse gas reduction ob- jectives. He insisted that Malta is com- mitted to increase energy effi- ciency even through the setting up of a Green Climate Fund. "This did not come without difficulties and there are still a lot of challenges to face. But we draw strength from the fact that we ourselves have experienced benefits of lowering emissions," he said. He said there is a need for Ministers to move out of their comfort zones, and close small gaps between different groups to take concrete and immediate action. "We must make use of this opportunity to ensure a better quality of life, health and envi- ronment to present and future generations," Brincat conclud- ed. Large umbrellas which had been objected to, have been given a permit MEPA case officer claims that redevelopment of the farm constitutes an environmental improvement in an area designated in the local plan as an agricultural zone