Delimara: residents should be compensated for eyesore

The 'heavier industrial presence' resulting from the high visibility of the new floating gas terminal in Marsaxlokk harbour makes a 'stronger case' for the rehabilitation and restoration of open spaces in the Delimara.

This emerges from a report on the visual impact of the new power plant authored Elisabeth Conrad which is part of the Environment Impact Assessment of the new gas plant.

The new development will include a new power plant equipped with three 75-metre chimneys, and three 30-metre-high chimneys and a massive floating storage vessel permanently anchored to a jetty.

According to the report, the "heavily congested" nature of the Marsaxlokk Bay creates a strong demand for well-maintained open spaces for community and recreational use.

The report also notes that the plan for the Delimara peninsula to be managed as a national park and to set up a Marine Conservation Area, as proposed in the Marsaxlokk Bay local plan approved in 1995, has to date not materialised.

Neither have plans for the rehabilitation and appropriate reuse of historical structures been implemented.

"The lack of implementation of these measures has negative implications in terms of landscape condition and integrity."

The report presents a damning picture of the state of the environment in Delimara. The fields on the eastern side of the Delimara peninsula are mainly used for hunting and trapping and are littered with birdcage supports. Most of the field-walls in this area are in a general state of disrepair and the bird hides are shabbily constructed.

The Fort also lies in a dilapidated state, as its use is totally incompatible with its status as an important representative of British colonial period military architecture. A number of "tasteless coastal structures" are found near the foreshore along the peninsula.

The report also includes an assessment of the visual impact of the new power plant from five different locations.

Visual impact floating terminal  

The most dramatic change in landscape will be the view from the Delimara peninsula.

From this viewpoint, the floating storage unit (FSU), will result in "a strong degree of visual intrusion because of its scale". From this viewpoint the FSU will also partially block the view of Marsaxokk Bay.

But the report also claims that the number of people exposed to this view is limited mostly to farmers, casual passers-by and some residents.

The report notes that the colour contrast between the FSU and surrounding environment is an important issue.

The FSU will be visible from the junction between Tas-Silg and Triq Il-Power Station is mitigated by distance.

View from junction between Tas-Silg and Triq il-Power station

The FSU is also visible from the Marsaxlokk seafront, along Xatt is-Sajjieda creating a "medium-magnitude change" for the more numerous receptors in this area.

View from Xatt is-Sajjieda

The degree to which the FSU is visible in part or in its entirety will depend on the location of the viewer on the Marsaxlokk promenade, as well as on the movement of vessels along the line of sight.

According to the report, this viewpoint is of particular significance, not only because of the various receptors affected, but also because 'the landscape and visual context is integral to the distinctive sense of place which the Marsaxlokk area presently enjoys'. In this case the view from Xatt is-Sajjieda is considered to be a strong contributor to local identity.

The skyline from San Lucjan peninsula will also change with 'the floating structures obscuring the topographical undulation at the far end of the peninsula'.

View from Triq it-Trunciera San Lucjan peninsula

The FSU will also impact on the view from B'bugia seafront. Although the distance of the viewpoint from the development site serves to minimise visual impact, the  'degree of change' will be strongly evident mainly because of the 'scale of the floating unit'.

Receptors from this viewpoint include residents, commercial operators, recreational users, tourists and local patrons, as well as passers-by.

According to the report, the impact the greatest visual impact will be experienced by residents living close to the area of the power station on the Delimara peninsula. The impact will be 'moderate' for residents living along the Marsaxlokk and B'Bugia sea fronts.

The new developments will also have a moderate impact on tourists, patrons of the M'Xlokk and B'Bugia establishments and bathers, as the industrial nature of the view will 'jar with recreational activities in an area with a traditional aspect'.