Platform for public consultation

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has proactively sought feedback as part of the public consultation exercise following the issuing of the Ħal Ferħ Development Brief, according to its chairman, Austin Walker.

Speaking at the end of a discussion that lasted just under two hours at Mount St Joseph, Tarġa Gap, Mr Walker said it was his first experience of public consultation of this type. Mepa had created a platform for the public to air its views and is prepared to consider all types of proposed uses of the Ħal Ferħ site other than that in the brief.

This could include a research centre and projects that brought non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector together within the context of the nearby Majjistral Nature and History Park. "If there are other proposals that the public wish to make that are not in the brief, now is the time to make it," Mr Walker urged.

After the October 31 deadline for the public to give Mepa their comments, the regulator would review the brief and its board will make its recommendation on a final version, after which ministerial approval will have to be obtained. The site will then be the subject of a competitive tender, which will reflect the approved brief.

Two Mepa architects, Frans Mallia and Joe Scalpello, first went through the draft brief, which seeks to provide guidance on the future use and redevelopment of Ħal Ferħ. Mr Mallia explained that this is the second phase of the brief in which all knowledge was being tapped and interaction promoted with the participation of NGOs and the public, who may have local knowledge.

Mr Scalpello then gave a presentation that put the 84,900 square-metre site in the local context and listed the proposed uses of the land as a family-oriented tourism complex and supporting facilities, which include retail, craft workshops, food and drink outlets, a multi-purpose hall, sports, entertainment and culture, provided they do not attract large numbers of visitors from outside the complex.

He listed the development densities and identified the height restriction of either one or two storeys, the area on the site where buildings of historical significance should be retained and stressed that the site layout had to be safe and an attractive environment to be promoted as providing a distinct sense of place. A major challenge for the developer would be to integrate the new part of the site with the old.

Transport considerations included the redirection of traffic to the eastern road where access already exists, the redesign of the junction outside the complex and the building of a public/visitor car park in the north-eastern part of the site.

Replying to questions from moderator Natalino Fenech, the Mepa architects said tourism accommodation was viewed as the main function of the site, with leisure as a subsidiary element. Certain tourism niches not currently being exploited by the local market would be examined with this project. Excavation below street level was not being excluded, depending on the constraints below ground and environmental constraints. Among those who made comments were spokesmen for the GAIA Foundation, the Malta Organic Cultural Movement, Nature Trust, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), the Chamber of Architects, the Malta Chamber of Planners, the Institute of Technology at the University of Malta, Air Malta, the Malta Energy and Renewable Energy Association, Island Hotels Group and also , Mellieħa mayor Robert Cutajar.

Several concerns were expressed on the built footprint, the lowering of the percentage of vegetation and the traffic plans. The site, it was suggested, needed to provide added value. The development could take the form of an eco-agri-tourism village that holistically looks after the environment.

This could be a project that would put Malta at the forefront of other countries in the Mediterranean, with buildings that looked like Maltese farmhouses in one of the most beautiful environments on the island. The project should be sustainable for the next 20 to 30 years.

There should be no open air discos, the site should be self sufficient for energy and water, using recycling, and could be a centre of excellence, study and research for Mediterranean universities and NGOs.

Mr Cutajar said Mellieħa council, which has a direct stake in the site since it falls within its boundaries, had already held a consultation meeting with Manikata residents and he thanked the Mepa officials who attended the meeting even though it was held after office hours.

He called for a widening of the brief, pointing to pressure on parking due to the nearby bathing bays, a five-star hotel and the popularity of the site even in winter with the Majjistral park. The Għaqda Rurali tal-Manikata has a rural development project that has attracted hundreds of children.

Traffic is a concern, Mr Cutajar said, and public transport caused confusion, especially in summer. He thanked Mepa for lessening the total site area by a third and said care should be taken when the junction is changed in order not to affect farmers' fields.

Other speakers said the site must be complementary to its surroundings. The sense of wilderness is possibly unique.

Care should be taken not to allow light pollution to affect the park. Energy could be generated through the use of photovoltaics and water could be treated and reused.

A point of caution was made in that the development should also be financially viable. It could attract a niche of tourism that Malta was not attracting.

Replying to questions, Mr Mallia said that although tourism was being put forward as a general concept, there was a lot of flexibility about what could be done. Sustainability was a core goal, with the challenge being to merge that concept with other concepts. The buildings would be low-lying, the built footprint was being increased from 17 per cent to 20 per cent and was less dense than that recommended for a bungalow type development.

Vegetation could be integrated on the roofs of buildings.

"This is a project that requires a lot of imagination and an ear to hear all suggestions," he said.

Mr Gingell is the focal point for the public participation pillar of the Aarhus Convention and related EU directives.