Large project in St Julian’s village core rejected by Planning Commission

The Planning Commission unanimously rejected a planning application which sought to construct 54 residential units, two retail outlets and underlying parking facilities within a large vacant plot which fronts two parallel streets in the Urban Conservation Area (UCA) of St. Julian’s.

The Commission strongly objected in principle to this project and cited that the proposed massing and height will compromise the character of St. Julian’s village core area.

Although in the Local Plan this site is earmarked as an ‘Opportunity Site’, the Commission pointed out that any future development must respect the surrounding urban environment. The Commission also noted that the residential project will create an internal development which is not permissible in UCAs.

The demolition of an existing townhouse to access the site from Triq it-Telgħa ta’ Birkirkara was also considered to be unacceptable for the Commission.

Although along with the processing of the application, the commercial element was reduced considerably from the proposal, the project still retained a high number of 1-bedroom dwellings. This policy only allows for there to be up to a maximum of 20% of the total number of dwellings, which is equivalent to 11 units. The project was proposing 33 units.