New Iklin project in locality’s interest – mayor

Plans to build local council offices and other facilities on a site close to the square in Iklin will go ahead despite a petition signed by 316 residents opposing the proposal.

Mayor Anthony Dalli said the council had taken note of the petition but it believed the project to be beneficial to the community and the town.

The new building will also house a government clinic, a computer room, a multi-purpose hall and a public library.

“This project is just a fraction of bigger plans to turn the area into a proper village square in front of the parish church, which is being undertaken by the Church.”

The plans entail revamping the parish church parvis and relocating the shops in front of its entrance, which now occupy Church land, to sites across the road in order to enlarge the square that lies immediately in front of the church.

The new site, a piece of land measuring 343 square metres, was recently passed on to the council by the government. While the council’s new building will occupy a third of the present square, the square is set to grow again with the relocation of the shops.

The mayor said the council’s choice had been between buying a property that already existed or building one from scratch and designing it to their requirements. Financially, the second option made more sense, so a full development application was submitted following an outline development permit issued to the council in 1999.

The mayor said that, contrary to public perception, the project would not include a multi-storey car park. It would consist of a two-storey building with another floor at semi-basement level.

The council is proposing to house the clinic, library, computer room and an exhibition space in the semi-basement, a reception area and council offices on the first floor and a large community hall on the second floor.

Mr Dalli said the whole edifice would be self-sufficient in terms of energy needs through photovoltaic panels on the roof and the electricity generated would also be used to light up the adjacent playground.

He said the project would cost the council €400,000, funds it hoped to borrow from a bank.

The present council office, located in a small first floor flat, is not accessible to the disabled because there is no lift, making it illegal under the newly amended law governing local councils.

The council had looked into buying an existing property and shortlisted the search to three properties: one costing €391,000, another €396,000 and the third, a flat, costing €198,000. Moreover, the present council offices were being rented at €750 a month while the new premises would be covered by an emphyteusis of €950 a year.

Mr Dalli said only 50 people had attended three consultation meetings the council had held for residents in May to explain a project that had been in the making for nearly 10 years.

While acknowledging the residents’ right to oppose the project, the mayor said the council was ready to meet them, show them the plans and answer questions.