At long last, the proposed development to create 85 dwelling units on the Kalkara slope was approved by the Mepa board on Thursday.
The board had discussed the application on 8 March but some neighbours and the Kalkara local council had raised serious objections because of flood water problems in the area that they said would be exacerbated by the big development.
So the application was deferred for further consultations between the developer, WSC, the local council and Transport Malta. A site visit was also made.
At Thursday’s hearing, architect Philip Micallef showed the board the improvements suggested by the developer. These included huge reservoirs and pipes leading from all over the development to these reservoirs.
The site in question, 6500 sq m, is divided in two, the top part and the bottom part, with a street passing through the middle.
The directorate recommended that the Police Code be infringed in allowing bigger than normal reservoirs to handle the volume of water. Transport Malta did not object.
The architect also promised that the big block of rock that at present does not allow flood water from Triq il-Kapuċċini to invade the site will only be removed at the end of the construction.
Michael Cohen, Kalkara mayor, thanked the developers for the consultation exercise that took place.
However, he expressed disappointment with the authorities that were supposed to be consulted. Transport Malta was informed of the meeting just 15 minutes before it was due to begin. MRRA and WSC sent representatives who said they knew nothing of the case. During the site visit, infringements were pointed out to the Mepa representatives where pipes were placed so as to offload water on to private residences. Had any steps been taken in this regard?
The council is not against the development but these problems must be solved.
The council insists that during construction close liaison must be kept with the council to trash out any problem that may emerge. Mr Micallef replied there was no objection to this.
Mepa chairman Austin Walker demanded to be updated as to any action on the illegalities that were pointed out. Mepa cannot order TM how to go about its business, but it will continue to press TM to declare its intentions as regards road building in the area.
Asked about the reservoirs, Mr Micallef replied that during heavy rain, the situation will be closely monitored so that if the volume of water is too big even for the reservoirs, extra water will be taken away by means of bowsers.
Board member Joe Farrugia wanted to know whether the central passageway will remain open to the public even if it were to continue to be taken care of by the developers. After some discussion, Mr Cohen suggested the passageway should be named by the council as a local street so as to have the plaque including the Kalkara coat of arms, just like the other streets.
Board member Sandra Magro wanted to know about a high building on the plan and was told by Mr Micallef this would be an iconic building for the whole site.
She then pointed out that the bedrooms of different apartments seem to be very near each other, raising privacy issues. The developer replied this had been cleared by the Health Officer but Ms Magro obtained confirmation that at seven storeys high, the bedrooms of some apartments are 3.8 m only away from each other.
Clearly unsatisfied, Ms Magro, together with Franco Montesin, were the only two board members to vote against when the application was accepted.