A complex aiming to provide an “improved quality of life for persons with disabilities” will be built in Naxxar after the Planning Authority unanimously approved the project on Thursday.

The complex, a government project, will be built on around 10,000 square metres of agricultural land close to the former trade fair grounds, between Triq it-Torri tal-Kaptan and Triq San Timotju.

It will consist of four fully detached blocks, surrounded by a large landscaped open area, and an underground car park.

An artist’s impression of the project.

Including residences, retail outlets, office space, workshops, a hostel, a therapy centre and a gym, its stated aim is to create a community hub where people with a disability living on site or visiting can have full access to all the facilities.

The €12 million project attracted controversy when it was first proposed in 2015 due to the suggestion of people with a disability being physically separated from the rest of the community.

Former National Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD) chairman Joe Camilleri had described the project at the time as “segregation by stealth” and stressed that “disabled people want to live, learn, work, and love in real communities not in some segregated gilded cage”.

The government had rejected the criticism, insisting the project would not be used only by people with a disability, and that it was primarily aimed at centralising different services currently spread out over the whole island.

Former National Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD) chairman Joe Camilleri had described the project at the time as “segregation by stealth”

During the PA hearing yesterday, project architects repeatedly picked up this theme, stressing that the complex would be in an urban area with minimal separation from the mainstream community, and would be designed around open, landscaped plazas to provide public space and a “barrier-free” environment.

The project is also aimed to be as low-impact as possible, with a small built-up footprint and all parking built underground.

In all, the project will comprise 78 residential units and 26 hostel rooms, as well as 151 car parking spaces, another 42 accessible-for-all parking spots and 20 motorcycle spaces. Some concerns were raised by objectors during the planning process over the increased traffic, which the impact assessment study notes may be significant, and the take-up of agricultural land, albeit within the development zone.

The Naxxar local council supported the project, despite noting concerns over the intensity of the development and its effect on existing residents.