Exiles sports club to be demolished to make way for restaurant

On Wednesday, MEPA’s Development Control Commission approved an application by the Exiles Sports Club, ratifying an outline permit issued two days before the March 8 election.

The project was approved despite objections from the Malta Tourism Authority and the Sliema local council.

In a letter sent in November 2009, the MTA expressed concern the overall height of the proposal and its potential negative effect on the skyline of the area and the tower in the vicinity.

The Sliema local council objected to the development because the floor area and height of the proposed development, according to the plans submitted, had increased in size when compared to the plans approved in the ‘Outline Development’ Permit.

But the case officer claimed that the development was considered to “ameliorate the existing complex”.

The outline permit had already increased the footprint of the club from 100 square metres to 230 square metres on which a 135 square metre upper floor, to be used as a restaurant, was added.

In the approved final permit the restaurant area was further enlarged to 146 square metres.

At present the only building on the site is a 100 square-metre single-storey building which forms the club’s premises. An adjacent structure used as a bar is used by third parties.

The design of the proposed development is quite innovative style with slightly angled roofing, large glazed walls and curved wings which according to a project development statement should help to reduce the need for mechanical ventilation and cooling.

The two levels will comprise a small storage area, catering facilities, committee rooms, separate changing rooms and sanitary facilities. While the lower level will be used as the waterpolo clubhouse, the restaurant will be housed within the upper level.

Alternattiva Demokratika expressed its concern that the development will increase the flow of traffic in the area, when there already is a big problem of people parking illegally on the rocky shore during the summer months.

According to MEPA’s Transport Unit, the development will create the need for an extra 14 parking spaces which cannot be provided on site. MEPA’s answer to this problem was to ask the developer to contribute €30,000to MEPA’s Commuted Public Parking Scheme.