Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/979340
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 2018 NEWS JAMES DEBONO WHILE confirming that the 37-storey tower proposed on the ITS site will have a "high adverse residual impact" on the entire cultural landscape of St George's Bay, the Environment and Resources Authority has not said 'No' to the massive de- velopment on the ITS site. The ERA's approval of the project is conditional on strict monitoring of works on the Ghar Harq Hammiem cave and the development of a tun- nel, to avert congestion on ex- isting junctions resulting from 7000 new daily car trips, and thus minimise the impact on air quality. But the construction of the new Pembroke tunnel also raised concerns over its impact on the Special Area of Conser- vation under which it will pass. The project will include a 37-storey residential tower consisting of 162 apartments, a shopping complex, a 900-bed hotel, conference facilities, res- taurants, a casino, a wedding reception hall and a Skybar. A report on the EIA acknowl- edges that a number of im- pacts of the new development can only be minimised but not eliminated through mitigation measures. These include the generation of a staggering 350,000 tonnes of excavation waste. Only 50,000 tonnes can be recycled according to studies. Moreover the massing of the development will lead to an ad- verse impact on the landscape from all viewpoints including those from Mdina, Birgu, Val- letta, Gharghur and Pembroke itself. "The addition of tall build- ings to the landscape will have a high residual impact on the entire cultural landscape of the il-Bajja ta' San Gorg area, The impact on the underground cave To minimise the impact on the cave, development in the area overlying the cave will consist of a swimming pool and a public plaza. But ERA has also expressed concerns on the proposed ex- cavation and rock-cutting not just directly above but also in the immediate vicinity of the cave. The ERA report warns that although damage to the cave system is unlikely, the risk of this happening is of very high significance as this "would lead to the destruction of a feature (the cave) of unique cultural, scientific, and environmental importance to the Maltese Is- lands". The report refers to studies of the cave system and sur- rounding geology, including a report by a geo-technical en- gineer, which outlines various procedures and precautions to ensure that the removal of the rock mass above the cave will not have any adverse effects. The report states that the monitoring process must be undertaken constantly throughout the works to en- sure that if necessary these works are updated, modified or even halted. New tunnel essential ERA supports the develop- ment of a new tunnel to make up for a daily increase in traf- fic estimated at 7000 extra car trips. "Without these infrastruc- tural improvements the pro- posed development will exceed the limitations of the existing highway junctions and lead to an unacceptable increase of air emissions". A one-kilometre tunnel is be- ing proposed in Pembroke to access the proposed high-rise developments in St Julian's. The tunnel would pass below the Special Area of Conserva- tion, which may be disturbed during excavation works. But as long as works follow ERA's conditions, it is unlikely that the proposal would affect the integrity of the site as a Special Area of Conservation. The report also warns that the nuisance from construc- tion works on the surrounding areas, while temporary, will still last for "a number of years". ERA does not say no to 37-storey tower TIA RELJIC NGOS and local councils will benefit from €23 million in funds to cover a number of cultural and restoration projects around the island. The projects, which include the resto- ration of churches, convents, artworks and ecclesiastical documents, as well as further preservation of art pieces in museums – including the St John's Co- Cathedral and St Paul's Pro-Cathedral in Valletta – form part of the 22 projects to benefit from the fund. Through the help of the European Re- gional Development Fund, the projects will not only preserve the country's his- tory and culture, but should also serve to attract more tourists, Parliamentary Sec- retary for EU Funds Aaron Farrugia said. Watchtowers around the southern and northern coast and railway stations in Birkirkara and H'Attard will also be re- stored. Restorations of various old build- ings and extensions of cultural museums will also make use of the funds – includ- ing the first nature museum in Malta, the Pyrotechnic Museum in Qormi, the Tun- nara museum in Mellieha, and the Cul- ture Mill in Naxxar. Three of the projects will also focus on sustainable energy, as they will place pho- tovoltaic panels on a number of buildings as a step towards reaching Malta's aims in the National Action Plan for Renewable Energy. Cultural projects get €23 million in funds The proposed tunnel The proposal will consist of an underground by-pass connecting the western edge of Pembroke with Paceville. Originally experts had proposed a tunnel linking the Sant Andrija junction directly to the St George's Bay de- velopment. But after discussions with Transport Malta the proposal was revised in a way that the new tunnel will not be con- nected with the parking facilities of the City Centre de- velopment. The proposal also foresees a high-capacity grade-sepa- rated intersection at the Triq Sant' Andrija/Triq Suffolk junction and an upgrade of the road network in the west- ern zone of Pembroke. The tunnel would be constructed underneath Triq il- Mediterran in Pembroke. An artist's impression of the 37-storey tower on the ITS site, overlooking St George's Bay in St Julian's The old railway station in Birkirkara