Government may rent rooms in ODZ old people's home

Robert Sarsero, the architect of a proposed old people's home in an outside development zone near the Margaret Mortimer school in Santa Lucija, revealed that 250 beds could be leased to government while some 100 could be rented directly by develooper. 

The announcement was made in a public consultation meeting organised by the local council which was held yesterday.

Parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne said that no commitment exists on the government's part to rent these rooms and he would not interfere with the planning process. But the parliamentary secretary also added that it was no secret that the government has issued a call for expression of interest for public private partnerships in this sector and that there was a social need for an old people's home in the south.

He also suggested that the developers can compensate for the environmental impact by restoring rubble walls in Wied Garnaw. Silvio Parnis, who chairs the government's "committee for the south", also proposed compensation for the environment impact of the new home. He also said that he was not previously aware of the demand for an old people's home in the area.

Sarsero, who also is also a member of MEPA's Appeal's Tribunal, referrred to various precedents where homes for the elderly and other developments were granted in ODZ, case in point the Home for the Elderly in Mellieha. He said that, because the development had a community aim, it would be permissible with the SPED (Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development).

Most of the public meeting was taken up by the architect and a health 'specialist' who who spoke on the benefits the complex would have for Santa Lucija's senior citizens. 

Catherine Polidano, who leads an action committee opposed to the ODZ development, proposed that the old people's home can be located on public land next to the church, which the council has already identified as a community and day centre. Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar President Astrid Vella also attended the meeting to support the residents. 

While the site in question is near Santa Lucija boundary, it falls within the Luqa boundary. The Luqa Local Council some months ago issued a press statement stating that it opposed such proposed development on this ODZ site.

The four-storey home for the elderly is being proposed on 4,472 square metres of ODZ land along Luqa Road.

Architect Robert Sarsero, a member of the environment and planning review tribunal that decides appeals against permits issued by MEPA, filed the application on behalf of applicant Neville Schembri, a director and shareholder in Healthmark Care Services, a company providing home care and support services to seniors and persons who need help at home because of illness or disability.

An online petition, 2,400 signatures strong, is urging MEPA to refuse this application.

In 2007 the Malta Environment and Planning Authority had set a precedent by refusing the construction of 12 maisonettes in the same zone that is now being identified for the development of the four-storey, private residence for the elderly.

The case officer’s report recommending the refusal of the 2007 application for 12 maisonettes in the same area states that the site was designated as an area of agricultural importance, a valley protection zone, a strategic open gap, and an aquifer protection zone in the South Malta Local Plan.

The site also lies within the flight protection zone and outside the limits of a buffer zone identified for the overhead 33KV power lines.

MEPA has  is still waiting for the submission of documentation it had asked for in a screening letter sent to the developers.