Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/751614
8 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2016 News IN ALL LEADING BOOK SHOPS HISTORY OF ORNITHOLOGY IN MALTA JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority has ap- proved the demolition of three townhouses to make way for an- other six-storey block in Carlo Manche Street in Gzira, ignoring a memo sent by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage calling for the protection of the existing façade of the building In a memo sent in September the heritage watchdog claimed that the existing facades contribute to the "aesthetic and architectural value of the existing streetscape" and should not be demolished. The properties in question consist of traditional townhouses dating back to the first part of the twenti- eth century. But the case officer report does not even refer to the historical value of the facades and the objections raised by the Superintendence. The report simply refers to a request made by the superintendence made in the same memo for a photo- graphic survey of the building and for revised plans. The case officer claimed that since SCH was re-consulted and since no reply was received within the time- frame required, its position "is con- strued as a no objection." The case officer insisted that the new devel- opment is in line to local plan and respects the streetscape. The de- velopment will create a new blank party wall bordering a neighbour- ing townhouse. In 2002 the PA had refused an ap- plication to open a garage door on the façade of the existing building. Planning Authority to hold 'one- to-one meetings' with residents on Paceville masterplan MIRIAM DALLI RESIDENTS concerned by the impact of the Paceville master- plan are being invited by the Planning Authority for "individ- ual meetings", the authority an- nounced this afternoon. The "one-to-one meetings" will be held between 17 and 24 No- vember and residents can avail themselves of the opportunity to meet officials to clarify any que- ries and get their feedback record- ed as part of the public consulta- tion process. "These one to one meetings will be held at the Planning Authority and interested individuals should call Ms Farrugia on 22901518 be- tween 07:00 and 15:00 to set an appointment," the authority said. Over the past weeks, residents and activists held multiple pro- tests against the proposed mas- terplan, arguing that it was half- baked and that it represents the interests of developers. It was ar- gued that the masterplan would expropriate residences so as to accommodate the business inter- ests. The masterplan outlines a new holistic approach to planning in Paceville, assessing the merits of development proposals within the context of public services, infra- structure and the built environ- ment whilst looking out for resi- dents and neighbouring localities. The public can read and give feedback on the masterplan via the Planning Authority's website (www.pa.org.mt/pacevillemaster- plan) until the 25th of November. The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage said the facades contribute to the "aesthetic and architectural value" of the streetscape Paceville masterplan 'risks leaving surviving businesses limp' TIM DIACONO THE proposed masterplan to re- generate Paceville has so far been harshly criticised for putting un- bridled development above the law, the environment and people's rights. Now Philip Fenech, president of the GRTU's leisure section, has warned of more insidious prob- lems - that the proposal could have a devastating impact on business in the area, far beyond those es- tablishments earmarked for expro- priation. "Paceville is often criticised be- cause of things like alcohol abuse, but the fact is that it is a success story – specifically because of its ambience whereby people hop from place to place," he told Mal- taToday. "If 30 establishments are suddenly removed, the entire area will be left limp." If approved, the masterplan will signal the end of Paceville as we know it – with the entire row of buildings stretching from Black- bull Pub to the Plush and AXM nightclubs to the Axis shopping centre earmarked for demolition so as to expand the plaza. The Mer- cury House skyscraper, which at 35 storeys will become Malta's tallest building, will tower over this new plaza. "This will not only ruin those businesses that will be expropri- ated, but will also harm those on the other side of the street as it will completely distort the economic equilibrium in the area," Fenech warmed. "Paceville is a hub and businesses feed off each others' cli- entele – people will go to a night- club on one side of the street and then buy a takeout from the other side. Removing half the establish- ments in the street will distort the synergy and leave the ones left standing limp." Elsewhere, the range of buildings stretching from Stylish Bathrooms Centre opposite the main Paceville bus stop, down the hill of Triq is- Swieqi and right towards the Ecabs headquarters, the sushi restaurant 'Sushi Ba' and a range of buildings that were purchased for develop- ment purposes are also set to be demolished. "Our members suggest that this is being done to accommodate the Mercury House development, be- cause for some reason the majority of expropriations will be within its parameter," Fenech said. "It will ef- fectively accommodate Mercury House from both sides – widening the roads to improve access to it." Moreover, he noted that when the government sold the Mercury House land to Joseph Portelli back in 2005, it did so with clear condi- tions that he must develop a public plaza within the plot of land. "What this masterplan suggests is effectively proposing is the de- molishment of businesses to make way for an open space that should have been built on the Mercury House plot. Fenech was unable to quantify how many jobs are threatened, but the figure certainly runs into the hundreds at least – Ecabs by itself employs around 300 people. "I agree that Paceville requires a masterplan and we are not against increased competition, but any new buildings should be designed to fit into what space is available and not the other way round. If there isn't enough space in Paceville for the Mercury House project, then it should be downscaled in size." Fenech also warned that the mas- terplan – which will include nine high-rise sites – will risk Paceville losing its tourism appeal. "There's a risk that it will kill Paceville's traditional identity, al- ter the dynamic and render it less attractive to tourists, who after all don't travel to Malta to see a mini Dubai. There's a risk that we could lose the whole plot." No stance by St Julian's PL councilors on expropriations Meanwhile, the Labour coun- cilors on the St Julian's local coun- cil have not yet taken a stance on the expropriations of residences and businesses that have been pro- posed in the masterplan. The council last week officially decided to oppose the masterplan, but the three PL councilors were not present for the vote after hav- ing stormed out in protest. Minority leader Martin Sultana told MaltaToday that he wants to consult with as many people as possible before taking a stance on the masterplan, including par- ticularly controversial aspects such as expropriation and land reclama- tion. "I have spoken to several St Ju- lian's residents who agree with the masterplan and who have pro- posed improvements to it," he said. He accused the PN-majority council of putting the interests of environmental NGOs ahead of the interests of citizens when it voted to oppose the masterplan. "They were very arrogant in the meeting and simply opposed eve- rything that was in the masterplan. Not everything in the masterplan is bad - in life, you cannot just op- pose everything." Gzira façade to be demolished despite heritage watchdog's objection President of GRTU's leisure section Philip Fenech warns that Paceville masterplan will distort the entertainment district's economic equilibrium and put its tourism appeal into question