Consultation for site area in Tal-Handaq enters third phase

The proposed planning parameters which will guide future development in the northern part of the Area of Containment (AoC) at Tal-Handaq in Qormi has been issued for a third phase of consultation by the Planning Authority, after it carried out considerable changes to the draft policy it had published in September 2017.

This new proposed policies for this area seek to establish the land-use zoning, building height limitation, design parameters, sustainability issues, transport and parking provisions and road alignments within this existing AoC which is directly adjacent to the Tal-Handaq Industrial zone.

The function of an AoC, such as this one in Tal-Handaq, is to provide adequate land allocation for predominantly industrial, commercial and warehousing land uses. With Qormi, historically having a long-term issue whereby warehousing uses have been located in parts of the residential area. The availability of land outside the residential zone of Qormi offers a clear and practical solution to address the incompatibility of such mixed uses.

The newly proposed revisions to the local plan for this area will ensure a general improvement in the visual appearance of the AoC and its surroundings with proposals including improvements in form and treatment of the elevations, providing detailed and large-scale visual interest and enhancing the industrial streetscape and the surrounding environment through higher quality design. Blank party walls will not be allowed to be created through any new development.

The draft planning policy, together with the proposed maps and submissions received from the public during the 2nd phase of the public consultation, may be viewed on the Planning Authority's website: www.pa.org.mt/consultation.

The Authority invites the public and interested parties to send their comments and feedback related to this latest proposed review. Representations are to be made in writing to: Planning Authority, Tal-Handaq – Area of Containment, St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana, FRN1234. Alternatively, these may be sent  through email on the address: [email protected]

Submissions must be sent to the Authority by not later than 1st April 2021.