Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/728388
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2016 9 News Madliena fields set for vast residential construction JAMES DEBONO A vast tract of land in Madliena consisting of 50,000 m2 of agricultural land – the size of seven football pitches – is being earmarked for residential development. A planning application presented by land- owner and entrepreneur Marcus Marshall, one of the owners of Sciclunas Estates, which own the trade fair grounds in Naxxar, is pro- posing residential development in the area within the limits set by a policy included in the North Harbour Plan of 2006. It is estimated the site, which is one of the largest vacant sites available for development in the north harbour region, may accommo- date up to 66 new dwellings, including ap- proximately 34 villas and 32 other dwellings if limited to a density of 12 units per hectare, as proposed in the local plan. The site, bordered by Triq il-Madliena, Triq Esprit Barthet, Triq in-Nafra and Triq il-Militar is designated as the "Central Madliena Opportunity Site". The site, bordered by Triq il-Madliena, Triq Esprit Barthet, Triq in-Nafra and Triq il-Militar is designated as the "Central Madliena Opportunity Site". It is developable because it has been included in both the temporary building plans approved in 1988 and in development boundaries approved in 2006. But the local plan limits the site to "low-density and high quality residential development" and has to be de- veloped in a "comprehensive manner". For instance, only detached two-storey villa develop- ment with a site coverage of 30% is permissible at the edge of the site. Higher density dwellings – as much as four units in each block – can be permitted towards the centre of the site providing the proposal integrates with the existing and proposed development in this area. A cluster of five shops can also be located at ground floor level. But 30% of the site area has to be landscaped with "generous foliage." Since the area may harbour archaeological remains, permission for development will also have to wait for consultation with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage – who must be fully satisfied that such devel- opment will not adversely affect the archaeological site in any way. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt One of the largest vacant sites available for development could accommodate up to 66 new dwellings, including 34 villas and 32 other dwellings Dog sniffs out cannabis plant, three in court MATTHEW AGIUS THREE persons were ar- raigned in court this morn- ing accused with the im- portation of almost 4kg of cannabis plant, found hid- den in a car, which reached Malta from Sicily via cata- maran. The discovery was made on September 14, thanks to Caeser, a sniffer dog, in a joint investigation by the K9 Section and the anti-drug squad. It is understood that the police had been following the trio from Sicily. It led to the arrest of a Maltese woman – 41-year-old Rita Scicluna of Luqa – her Nigerian hus- band, 28-year-old Nicholas Obaseki and a 27-year-old man from Nigeria who does not reside in Malta. In court, it was recounted how the drugs were found in the car driven by the woman, who had her toddler with. The cannabis was found in packets hidden in the car's engine. The two men, who were waiting for the woman in Malta, were also arrested. The trio pleaded not guilty. The woman was released on bail whilst the two men were remanded in custody.