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MT 22 January 2017

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13 tackle threat of spear-fishing to Cerna News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 JANUARY 2017 JAMES DEBONO THE Superintendence for Cultur- al Heritage has called on the Plan- ning Authority to reject a pro- posed old people's home set right next to a military glacis in the Tal- Hawli valley in Birgu, unless stud- ies show that it has no impact on views of fortifications in the area. The five-storey high old people's home is being proposed on a foot- print of 2,565 square metres in an ODZ area overlooking the sched- uled parts of Tal-Hawli valley in the vicinity of the Vittoriosa pri- mary school. In its first reaction to the appli- cation to construct the old peo- ple's home, the heritage watchdog described the site proposed for development as "a very strategic location in Birgu". "It is located in the urban con- servation area and in the area of high landscape value in the vicin- ity of the harbour fortifications and adjacent to the Military Glacis of Birgu," the Heritage watchdog said. The Superintendence has now called on the developers to pre- sent photomontages from various viewpoints within Birgu and the surrounding localities. It also demanded photomontag- es of long-distance views to assess the visual impact of the proposed development on the skyline and harbour fortifications. "In the absence of the requested information, this development ap- plication should be refused". Environmental organisations Nature Trust, Din l-Art Helwa and Front Harsien ODZ have also called on the PA to reject the ap- plication. Nature Trust has warned that since the project lies at the lower part of a small valley system it could affect water retention in the area. It also noted that a number of trees grow along this valley. The Environment and Resources Authority has also objected to the application. Donald Magro on behalf of St Paul Residential Homes Limited, a company owned by developer Joseph Gaffarena, presented the application. The latest plans envision a five- storey building over two storeys of underground parking. Labour MP Charles Buhagiar, government-appointed chairman of the Building Industry Consulta- tive Council, is still listed as "pro- ject architect". In 1992, the MEPA had refused an application to erect garages and stores on the site presently earmarked for the old people's home. Old people's home proposed next to Birgu glacis The developers of the old people's home have acknowledged that they would have to uproot a number of trees and demolish existing rubble walls

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