Coast Road upgrade, underground extension to Metropolis approved

The MEPA Board approved planning permission for the upgrading of part of the Coast Road which is closest to Qalet Marku, after ensuring that the applicant had sought “the most environmentally sensitive solution”.

The particular stretch of land is a protected Level 1 marshland and had been kept as a reserved matter in the approved permit for the upgrading, widening and realignment of the Coast Road back in August 2012.

The MEPA Board had requested Transport Malta to review their proposed plans so as to find an alternative solution to limit the take up of land in and around the protected marshland.

While in the initial development application a roundabout junction near the Maghtab access had been proposed, taking up a considerably large amount of land, the current approved proposal has provided a solution which is environmentally sensitive.

The approved plans completely eliminate the round about junction and provide access to the Maghtab residential area from the north-bound carriage-way through a T-junction.

A parking area servicing the small beach at Qalet Marku was also part of the approved proposal. All redundant areas from the existing road alignment will be reinstated to their original state and the natural rock terrain exposed.  

Planning permission was also granted for an extension of four underground levels as part of the Metropolis Redevelopment Project in Gzira.

The approved extension involves the excavation of half of the width of Triq Testaferrata and Triq Enrico Mizzi to accommodate an additional 126 car parking spaces and an extension to the approved underground supermarket.

Following works the relocated services and road surfaces will be reinstated. To ensure that the developer reinstates the road within 33 weeks from the dates of commencement, the Board imposed a bank guarantee of €50,000 and a daily fine of €1,000.