Marsascala local council objects to heights policy

Residents are irked by the new policy regulating building heights that could see buildings in Marsascala rising up to 10 storeys.

Labour mayor Mario Calleja insisted the local council will vehemently object to any such development – excluding the former Jerma site – if such a plan is presented for MEPA’s approval.

The policy regulating building heights issued for public consultation in November was tweaked and silently approved by the government on 24 May.

The new policy effectively reduces the minimum site area where high rise development can take place in all Maltese towns and villages from the proposed 5,000 square metres to 4,000 square metres.

Moreover, as initially proposed, no minimum site area is required for high rise development in Sliema, St Julian’s, Msida, Gzira, Pietà, St Paul’s Bay, Marsascala and Marsa, which could see buildings rising up to 10 storeys in these localities. 

“It’s a positive step that Marsascala was excluded from allowing taller buildings to be developed but we still disagree with medium-rise buildings. As a council we have made our submissions to MEPA, but these were ignored,” Calleja said.

The mayor argued that with a substantial number of vacant properties in the locality, further development would be unnecessary.

Residents present at the council’s press conference complained of blocked roads and increase in dust when a similar medium-rise building – the Ta’ Monita complex – was developed.

Residents claimed they had to take down solar panels because the high building was covering the sun.

“We want this policy to be revoked. No one ever though Marsascala would grow to the 13,000 residents it hosts today. Such development not only causes an inconvenience to the residents but it ruins the skyline,” Calleja said.

He added that the local council was against the policy on principle: “There have been no applications submitted as yet, so our argument is not against developers. We just want to safeguard our locality.”

The mayor however does not object to high-rise development at the former Jerma Hotel site, on the condition that the surrounding area is safeguarded. Calleja said that a new hotel in the area would be a blessing for the locality as it would help regenerate Marsascala’s economy.