An application for a nine storey home for the elderly in Marsascala by Lay Lay Co. Ltd, of which Michael Axisa is a shareholder, has seen the local council object to the development.
The application itself was originally submitted as a seven storey medical centre with underlying basement levels. On 10th August 2018, revised proposal drawings were submitted to construct a nine storey old people’s home with two underlying basement levels of parking. Drawings of the medical centre have been superseded by the latest drawings for the old people’s home, a Planning Authority official told this newsroom. “The application was republished in view that the change constituted a material change. “
The site is on Triq il-Lampuka c/w, Triq Patri Wistin Born.
The local council had objected to the original proposal, and is also objecting to the current one. The site is a corner field just adjacent to an under-construction school. Marsascala Mayor Mario Calleja, contacted by this newsroom, said that the council is objecting due to parking issues already existing in the area, the building height, and that the building itself would be an eyesore next to the school.
With regards to parking issues as a result of the school, the mayor said that an agreement was reached with the school whereby residents would be able to park in the parking lot overnight, after school ends for the day, and until the school opens in the mornings.
According to the home for the elderly plans, each floor from levels 1-8 will have four bedrooms, two of which will have three beds and two of which will have two beds. All four bedrooms will have a bathroom. Each of these floors will have a kitchenette and a laundry room and a treatment room according to the plans. The ninth floor seems to be a room on the roof and the ground floor will serve as a reception, service area and clinic.
Some representation letters which were written on behalf of the Marsascala council read “The council is definitely against this height since it will not respect the adjacent school and buildings in the immediate surroundings. The area of the building being proposed does not have enough area to build nine storeys. The council is concerned that a dangerous precedent might happen if this application is approved. The parking being provided is much less than the required amount. This is because such a development will attract not just patients and medical personnel and staff but also visitors. This is going to create a parking havoc right next to a newly built school and much inconvenience and chaos to the neighbouring residents”