The Planning Authority board today gave the go-ahead for a massive development on the outskirts of Mellieha which will add no less than 152 apartments, (20 two-bedroom, 128 three-bedroom and four four-bedroom), and 168 lock-up garages to the Ta’ Masrija area.
The new development will constitute a veritable small village within the village and will have seven floors facing the scenic area of Mizieb on one side and a steep hill on the other.
The PA approval comes as the last step in a process which began years ago when the first PC application was mooted to do something about the derelict quarry which one can see from the Mellieha ByPass. Back then, the entire community had erupted in protest and people such as Evarist Bartolo were very vocal in opposition.
But since then, there has been a government change and even the Mellieha local council changed hands – and opinion. This was shown today when despite that the local council still signalled, as recently as last January, its opposition to the application, the mayor (which as a result of the recent change in the law now sits on the board when an application regarding his locality comes up) actually voted in favour, no doubt accepting the rather weak justifications by the Directorate.
Those who even in the recent months, including the PN minority in the council, who had been vociferous in opposition, chose not to be present. Nor was any representative of Din l-Art Helwa among the public when DLH had objected to the massivity of the development.
Nor was there anyone among the public present to speak on this development.
Architect Stephen Farrugia, for applicant Paul Attard, explained to the board that an internal road had been rerouted so as to permit a better configuration of the development.
There will be no one-bedroom apartments, and the apartments range from a 90sqm area to a 260sqm one. The development will face a planning gain of €740,000.
PA chairman Vince Cassar questioned why did the architect put all those many trees in the mock-ups of the development. Mr Farrugia replied that with the site facing site, the trees would provide needed shade. The chairman jocularly added they would look nice with the Christmas lights on.
Only one board member voted against.