Thumbs down for ‘crowded’ flats at site of 7Up plant

The planning authority has turned down an application to build 164 apartments in place of the former 7Up soft drink bottling factory in Santa Venera, saying the proposed development would be too crowded.

“This is not a project of quality... It lacks open public space... I fear that this project could end up turning into a slum,” said Austin Walker, the chairman of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority board.

The bottling plant, owned by Portanier Brothers, has been unused since it was closed in 2002, when Farsons took over the soft drink franchise.

The proposed development would have included the demolition of some existing structures and the construction of 164 apartments, garages and a commercial area including offices, shops and a gym.

The large site, measuring about 7,000 square metres, has frontage on three roads. The main facade of the plant is located on St Joseph High Road within an urban conservation area.

The factory was built in a traditional style in keeping with the rest of the streetscape, close to the Wignacourt aqueducts.

An outline permit had been granted in July 2007 and the project was recommended for approval by the planning directorate.

However, Mepa board members turned it down on the basis that the project as proposed is too “dense” and lacks open space in an area that is already heavily populated.

“The authority is duty bound to ensure and safeguard our localities from any proposed development which may result in bad neighbourliness...This proposed development, with such a high density of residential units, could have possibly resulted in the board endorsing a new slum area,” Mr Walker said.