Developers brought down to earth

The planning authority has restricted the development of a complex in Mellieha's Santa Maria estate after it decided to limit building height in the area to two storeys.

The change brings the height limitation in the area to what it was before the local plans for Santa Maria Estate were changed without public consultation.

During a meeting on Thursday, the board voted in favour of limiting the building height of houses in Santa Maria Estate to two storeys, with no roof structures allowed.

The area, which was originally reserved for bungalows, is adjacent to the Tas-Sellum estate in which several blocks of apartments were constructed over two years ago.

In 2007, the case was brought to the attention of the Ombudsman and Mepa audit officer after the residents complained of high blocks of flats, built in the nearby Tas-Sellum estate, that towered over their property.

The Ombudsman and audit officer had both said that the consultation process was flawed because significant changes had been made to the local plans only after the consultation process was over.

In the meantime, more developers were applying for permits in excess of two storeys.

However, the authority launched another consultation process in 2007 to modify the local plan, specifically the Santa Maria Estate. Following several submissions by the residents, the planning directorate proposed the clause limiting the building height, which was accepted during the meeting.