The Planning Authority, following guidance from government, today published a number of proposed policy changes for a site area in Ta’ Qali which is presently and inappropriately zoned as an industrial area, adjacent to the Malta National Park.
The primary scope behind this partial review is to designate the site, characterized by mixed uses, as a quality commercial destination through sustainable architectural and urban design with adequate infrastructure provision, the Planning Authority said in a statement. The new Ta’ Qali Commercial area will purposefully mitigate against the negative impact that the current uses are having on the character of the surrounding area, particularly the formal and informal recreational area.
The amended policy is proposing that at this site which is accessed directly from Vjal L-Istadjum Nazzjonali and Triq L-Idwart, only land uses related to supermarkets, medical clinics, educational facilities, offices, retail outlets, storage/distribution facilities and food and drink outlets will be permitted.
The proposed policy stipulates that any new development on the perimeter of the site area facing the ODZ shall have a facade height of not more than 8 metres, while development on the perimeter of the site facing the American embassy and the carpark shall have a facade height of not more than 11m.
The overall height for all the site shall be subject to a Visual Impact Assessment on views to and from the Mdina promontory, the Area of High Landscape Value and the embassy site. Mitigation measures identified in this assessment may require limitations on the allowable heights of buildings.
The introduction of green infrastructure measures, such as the use of sustainable building materials, a design which allows for passive environmental control and the integration of carbon-reduction measures are to be favourably considered.
A planning gain contribution of Euro 25 per sqm of new gross developable floor space (GDF) permitted within the site is also being proposed. The funds generated from this planning gain will be directed towards the upgrading of recreational facilities and other environmental initiatives within the Ta’ Qali National Park.
Interested parties may download the proposed amended policy framework from the Planning Authority’s website www.pa.org.mt/consultation.
Representations on the proposed review are to be made in writing and sent through e-mail address: [email protected]. Submissions are to reach the Authority by Friday 25th October 2019.