‘Holistic plan’ requested for the crafts village site

A decision on an application to amend the master plan for the beleaguered Ta’ Qali crafts village has been postponed by a month to allow Malta Industrial Parks to come up with a holistic plan for the site.

The planning authority board informed project architect Ray Vella that the entire area must be given a uniform look.

Furthermore, an official from Malta Industrial Parks, which filed the application, must be present at the next hearing to explain the legal agreements to the tenants.

Under proposed amendments to the master plan, which had been approved in 2007, the number of units would fall to 66 from 93 and the built footprint would be reduced from 21,940 square metres to 21,481, which would cover 29 per cent of the whole site.

The latest proposal would also keep the original layout and a considerable number of historical elements on site. Also, the several piazzas would be replaced with a central piazza and walkways for pedestrians.

During the presentation to the planning authority board, Mr Vella said the area currently included a number of Nissen huts and other structures.

“Its general appearance is that of neglect and the project will create a centre of excellence for Maltese crafts and operators to showcase their products,” he said.

The crafts village is situated in the area where Nissen huts once formed part of an airfield in the centre of Ta’ Qali, south of the football stadium.

The village had been on the agenda of the previous administration for 21 years, with different ministers proposing upgrade options, but very little has been done to stop its deterioration.