Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/955503
maltatoday SUNDAY 18 MARCH 2018 6 News MATTHEW VELLA FINES for developers who do not provide enough car spaces for an increase in residential units in towns should be doubled, the Commissioner for Environment and Planning David Pace has said. Pace's comments came in re- sponse to an inquiry kick-started by a complaint from the Sliema local council, which said the PA was not sufficiently enforcing its own rules on forcing developers to provide car spaces for the sig- nificant number of apartments, offices and hotels being developed in the locality. Of the 104 applications for de- velopments in Sliema submitted to the PA in 2016, the council found a shortfall of 184 car-park- ing spaces in violation of the PA policies. Additionally, some PA poli- cies impose the retention of property façades to preserve the streetscape, therefore preventing the introduction of a garage. Add- ing insult to injury, an additional 47 parking spaces up to April 2017 had been "sacrificed" for the plac- ing of tables and chairs on our roads by restaurants and bars. But the PA contended that the SPED (Strategic Plan for Environ- ment and Development) reduced parking provision to encourage car users to use public transport and that increased development within the so called "principal ur- ban area" – which includes Sliema – would provide the critical mass of population with a feasible pub- lic transport provision. "Only when car users realise that it is not possible to park in Sliema will they start to consider shifting to other modes of transport. As long as parking spaces are ample – and cheap, if not free – car use will continue to rise and bus pa- tronage and use of green modes will continue to decline," the PA said. In his investigation, the planning ombudsman found that the €2,096 contribution to the PA's commut- ed parking payment scheme – a fine paid for each parking space re- quired when a new development is erected – was not enough to coun- ter the increasing demand for on- street parking in places like Sliema. "The CPPS fine for each parking space has been in force for two dec- ades and it is time that this scheme is revised, more so when the num- ber of registered cars has almost doubled," the Commissioner said. The PA said a study has been completed to revise the CPPS. The Commissioner disagreed with the PA's contention that less parking space would force motor- ists to choose public transporta- tion, saying it "does not do much to solve the parking problem vari- ous localities are facing. Statistics show that registered cars are in- creasing by the thousands and the use of public transport does not relieve the need for garages/park- ing spaces as the cars (whether on the move or not) still need to be accommodated somewhere." He also said the PA had not justified why the provision of more parking spaces for certain developments was "unfeasible or impossible" as laid down in the CPPS rules; and in the case of kerbside 'al fresco' spots, why the PA did not consider the parking problems resulting from the loss of these spaces. "The Planning Authority should be more considerate and strict when processing applications that can result in a higher demand for parking spaces and the Planning Authority should adopt a more positive approach by rewarding developments that provide for off-street parking rather than im- pose schemes that fine those who do not, especially in processing applications for outdoor catering areas," the Commissioner said. He also called on the PA to pro- mote collective developments that can allow common access and cir- culation areas to one centralised parking area. "Collective developments can prove fruitful also to the develop- ers, the neighbours and not least to the environment, in reducing haphazard development and the number of accesses and in involv- ing bigger developers that are more structured and organised. Such collective developments can be promoted by introducing spe- cific time intervals, say three or five years, wherein works, say in a specific street, can be carried out. "Other than the advantage of providing an incentive for collec- tive development, the period of construction inactivity grants the neighbours and the environment breathing space." mvella@mediatoday.com.mt Ebba von Fersen Balzan In loving memory of artist Ebba von Fersen Balzan, who passed away aged 50 on the 16, March, 2008. Born in Darmstadt, Germany and who lived in Naxxar, Malta. Her memory lives on in her works and her paintings. Fondly remembered by Saviour Balzan, Antoinette and Ray Balzan, Mariella and Alan Dimech and niece and nephew Matthew and Francesca. Call for Expression of Interest The Parliament of Malta is requesting proposals for the provision of Consultation Services for Ensuring the Compliance of the Water Supplies to local Health Standards The Parliament of Malta is inviting Expressions of Interest from reputable consulting firms with the necessary experience and resources to undertake such task. In the first instance, interested consulting firms are to communicate with the Parliament of Malta at the email address shown below, by latest 12:00 noon (CET) of 27 th March 2018, expressing their interest to undertake the task. All correspondence should be addressed as follows: Head Finance and Administration Section House of Representatives Parliament of Malta Freedom Square Valletta VLT 1111 Email: dcs.parlament@parlament.mt Tel: (+356) 25596352 Further information regarding this call for Expression of Interest can be downloaded from the website www.parlament.mt "The CPPS fine has been in force for two decades and it is time this scheme is revised, more so when the number of registered cars has almost doubled" Watchdog says fines for lost parking slots must be doubled to €4,000 Sliema losing out on parking space due to lack of enforcement on new developments bringing in more residents and motorists The Sliema residential parking scheme was suspended by the Office of the Prime Minister in 2013