Nazzareno Vassallo ordered to pay €95,000
MEPA orders construction magnate to pay hefty sum due to under-provision of parking spaces in development of former Lowenbrau brewery.
10 September 2013, 12:00am
James J. Piscopo
James J. Piscopo
2 min read
Nazzareno Vassallo
Construction magnate Nazzareno Vassallo was today ordered to pay just under €100,000 in a decision taken by MEPA's Environment and Planning review tribunal, for not providing ample parking space next to a new supermarket and convention hall he is building in Marsa.
The decision concerns the development of the area next to Arriva’s park and ride in Marsa, at the former Lowenbrau brewery premises.
MEPA stipulates that there should be a parking space for every 10 square metres. Vassallo’s development provided 194 parking spaces instead of 310
Consequently, Vassallo was ordered to pay €95,000 due to under-provision of parking spaces for the proposed development, even though originally Transport Malta deemed the 194 parking spaces "sufficient for the busiest shopping times."
The Qormi Local Council filed an appeal, saying the sum should be paid to the Urban Improvement Fund, which in turn is used by the council as compensation to be spent on regeneration projects.
The MEPA appeals board ruled in favour of the Qormi council and ordered Vassallo to pay €95,000.
Nationalist members of the Qormi council refused to approve the motion and abstained, saying the appeal was “politically motivated”.
Qormi mayor Rosianne Cutajar hailed this decision and said it was a “victory” for the local community.
“I stood strong on our position since the development permit was issued with various irregularities in the first place. The board's decision shows that no one is above the law. It's a victory because ultimately, it's residents who will benefit from the funds, which will be used for several projects,” Cutajar said.
Vassallo’s development includes a 2,095 square metres supermarket, a 1,768-square metre function hall, four retail outlets, and a parking area.
The construction magnate acquired the 21,000 square metres of land in Qormi formerly occupied by the Lowenbrau brewery in 2009. Originally, he had earmarked the area for a 20-storey business centre and retail areas instead of the factory.
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Apart from the fine make him build rooftop parking on his property which was rocket-tracked just before the election and for him to provide it free of charge.
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Peanut fine for the size of the development. In any case how is the payment of a fine going to increase the parking spaces needed?
John Mifsud •
The logic of levying a payment in lieu of providing parking spaces is similar to the medieval practice of selling indulgences.
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What difference is it going to make to his pocket considering that just his boat costs 5,000,000!
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And MEPA itself is giving permission for the building of flats in Sliema without garages.
As its name implies, MEPA is supposed to take care of the ENVIRONMENT and PLAN. More flats without garages means:
1. More people driving around like crazy to find parking with more emissions.
2. Planning, what planning? Planning indeed.
Now we are really going to the dogs!
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Nationalists voted in favour of Zaren Vassallo. X.kl-kumbinazzjoni! Malta vera kienet tal-klikka!Kif kollox inzamm mixtur?
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Let Justice prevail in all cases.Maybe i will see justice about my case of an illegal Restaurant operating without permit for over 15 years under my residence.
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Let Justice prevail in all cases:Maybe one day I will see justice prevail about my case of an illegal establishment on roof above my residence.
