Regulations banning the development of a multi-storey car park at the University were “ridiculous” and must go, Architecture Faculty dean Alex Torpiano said.

“The idea behind this regulation hasn’t worked. Frankly, it’s ridiculous and has to change,” Prof. Torpiano said.

The regulations, aimed at promoting public transport, form part of the planning authority’s North Harbour Plan, a set of guidelines for land use and development. Originally drawn up in 2006, the plan says: “New car parking facilities will not be permitted in or around the University campus.”

Prof. Torpiano insisted students haven’t got enough spaces to park their cars and the bus system just hasn’t worked.

Two weeks ago, maltatoday.com.mt reported that a planning application for the development of an underground parking complex had been submitted by the University. Enquiries by Times of Malta indicated that the application was for a few “relatively small” parking facilities to be built be-neath new campus buildings rather than a consolidated parking complex. The application forms part of an updated master plan of campus developments that was originally submitted about 20 years ago. It included designs for a creative lab and a commercial complex that will provide the first on-campus accommodation.

Prof. Torpiano warned that the new buildings would escalate campus congestion. “These buildings will be attracting more students and the parking facilities below them will not solve the parking problem,” he said.

The proposed underground developments are based on an existing facility below the newly-built IT building and might be not rejected under current Mepa regulations. Parking facilities below the IT building provide slots for about 60 cars, many of which are reserved for academic staff.

A Mepa spokesman said the regulator would only consider applications for on-campus car parks if the University demonstrated a commitment to address several transport issues. These include the removal of existing parking facilities along the ring road and that of a makeshift car park in Wied Għollieqa.

Prof. Torpiano felt Mepahad held back a number of University projects as a form of leverage to prompt the removal of the contentious parking facilities, a claim the planning authority strongly denied.