27-storey development proposal for Qawra

Developers of an ambitious project involving the building of a 27-storey tower in Qawra will today be meeting residents to discuss the "Portomaso" of the Bugibba area.

The development is being proposed by VellSix Ltd Developers, owners of Hal-Mann Ltd.

Mangion and Mangion Partners are the architects.

The 27-storey tower, which is similar in height to Portomaso in St Julian's, will include a four-storey car park underneath which will be able to take up to 900 cars. The car park will be below ground level. There will also be 124 three-bedroom residential units and 1,970 square metres of commercial floor area.

Over the past days, residents in Bugibba and Qawra were able to see a model of the proposed project exhibited in the council's day care centre in Bugibba, including an architects' impression and a simulation of the project.

A public consultancy exercise is being organised today to inform the public and obtain comments from the public and interested bodies which could then be used to formulate the terms of reference for further studies.

The exercise is being organised in collaboration with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and St Paul's Bay council.

Stephen Mangion, one of the architects of the proposed development, said the project was still at initial concept stage.

"The reaction so far has been positive... but we are only at an outline application level."

Mr Mangion said that together with the developers they have looked at many aspects, including environmental considerations:

"The feedback so far has been good. We have been building horizontally for far too long. I am also aware that there are similar proposed developments in other parts of the island, including one in Marsascala. If one had to look at Malta in 1940 and compare it with how it looks today, the difference is enormous so far as the occupation by buildings is concerned."

On the environmental impact, Mr Mangion said he believed the project would not harm the environment.

"We have looked at various aspects, including access to the project and parking. Later on we will also do a traffic impact assessment.

"A submission for full planning permission will be made at a later stage which would be accompanied by a public consultation."

Mr Mangion said that residents should look at the project with an open mind.

"They should at least understand what the project is all about. They should also realise that if the project were to materialise, their property will appreciate in value. This is what happened in St Julian's as soon as the Portomaso project got the green light."