Only six high-rise applications potentially fall within new policy

Only six of the current 13 applications for high-rise buildings potentially fall within the designated areas covered by the new approved policy announced recently by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. This means that a number of applicants will have to rethink their projects even though they have been on the cards for as long as a decade.

Of the six that could potentially be approved under the new policy, five (three in Gżira and two in Tigné) are not completely surrounded by streets and would have to find a way to incorporate these into the project. These include the site of the former Union Club, the Empire Stadium and the Fortina Hotel.

Only one project – the site at the Westin currently used for parking – is a detached urban block. This application has been pending for 15 years.

Among those applications that fall outside the designated areas for high rises are the site of the former Trade Fair Grounds in Naxxar, The Palms in St Julians and Pjazzetta in Sliema.

Under the new policy, Mepa has not imposed a minimum site size but it has determined that there should be no third parties adjoining the proposed development. If on site parking cannot be provided, then the developer can opt to use parking in another building within a 250-metre radius.

Note: The details below are based on the original application, some of which have evolved over the years to a high-rise project.

Thumbs down

Xemxija – Site at Triq is-Simar
Applicant: Jesmond Manicaro (Polidano Group)
Garages and maisonettes, 118 apartments and six penthouses.

Naxxar – Former Trade Fair Grounds
Applicant: Vince Curmi
Residential, commercial and office space.

Naxxar – Triq il-Seneskalk
Applicant: Paul Xuereb
Garages and overlying residential units

Marsalforn: Site at Triq il-Forn
Applicant: Michael Farrugia
Residential units

St Julians: The Palms
Applicant: Nicolas Borg
Demolish wedding hall and construct 359 garages, 347 apartments, 24 penthouses, and shops.

Sliema: Pjazzetta
Applicant: Mark Gasan
Apartment block with offices and commercial outlets, with two levels of underground parking.

St Paul’s Bay: Parades Street
Applicant: St Paul’s Bay Council
Construction of civic centre

Thumbs up ... but with conditions

Gżira: Site at Misraħ Turu
Applicant: John Aquilina
Demolish factory and replace with complex of 60 apartments (4+1 floors) and 10 penthouses

Gżira: Empire Stadium at Rue D’Argens
Applicant: Baron Salvino Testaferrata
Demolish existing buildings and replace with flats, commercial and retail, and garages.

Gżira: Muscats Motors
Applicant: Hugh Mercieca
Part-demolish existing building and construct residential and office building.

Tigné: Site of old Union Club
Applicant: Michael Soler (Gasan/Townsquare)
Mixed development with residential, shopping and commercial with underground parking.

Tigné: Fortina Hotel
Applicant: Fortel Services
Permanent residential floors and additional three floors.