Proposed policy to turn Ta’ Qali industrial area into a quality commercial area re-issued

The Planning Authority has republished for public consultation a proposed policy for an area in Ta’ Qali after it carried out further changes to the original draft of the policy following the response it received during the second phase of consultation held in September 2019.

The policy review is being carried out so that the industrial area within Ta’ Qali, which is inappropriately adjacent to the Malta National Park, will be re-zoned into a commercial area.

This will purposefully mitigate against the negative impact that the current uses are having on the character of the surrounding area, particularly the formal and informal recreational area.

The main changes reflected in this latest policy document centre around the introduction of a central road and the designation of separate distinct areas, where comprehensive and conventional planning will be considered.

The acceptable land uses as identified in the original public consultation document have not changed and are proposed to remain the same for both the comprehensive and the conventional Development Areas.

Within the area allocated for comprehensive development, a maximum site coverage of 60% shall be allowed, which is equivalent to just over 17,000m2. The 40% open space is inclusive of a landscaping buffer.

The landscape buffer is to serve as a green belt, consisting mainly of trees and shrubs and will serve to mitigate the visual impact of any development abutting the Outside Development Zone and the view of any development from Mdina. This mitigation measure is not to be limited to this buffer and other measures, such as green walls and green roofs are also being encouraged.

While the proposed planning gain contribution has been retained, the policy is also proposing that the landholders are to fund the construction of the necessary road and junction improvements within the policy area.

The funds generated from the planning gain will be directed towards the upgrading of recreational facilities and other environmental initiatives within the Ta’ Qali National Park.

Interested parties and the public may download the proposed amended policy from the Planning Authority’s website www.pa.org.mt/consultation.

Representations on the proposed review are to be made in writing and sent through email address: [email protected]. Submissions are to reach the Authority by Friday 16th October 2020.