Development guidelines for Kalkara site

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has published detailed guidelines, for public consultation, on the development of the area situated between Triq Santa Liberata, Triq il-Kappuccini and the Tas-Salvatur fortifications in Kalkara.

The site is enclosed by existing residential development and earmarked for new residential development in the approved Grand Harbour local plan.

The development is being objected to by the Kalkara council, the Labour Party and an action committee Insalvaw il-Wied tal-Kalkara, made up of several organisations.

MEPA said the development of the new residential neighbourhood was based on the following principles:

¤ The development was to share the same traditional character of the local vernacular, blending with the surrounding buildings.

¤ The streetscape and building designs should have similar characteristics to those found in urban conservation areas.

¤ Emphasis has to be put on the design of both the front and back elevations, which need to be visually coherent.

Large scale residential developments were to be broken down to reflect the typical plot size and house façades were to be similarly proportioned and without semi-basements.

The public consultation document also contains guidelines on the type of building materials that may be used, the architectural elements, front gardens, garages, roof structures and shops.

Regarding the use of colour, the guidelines lay down that the predominant colour should be that of the globicerina limestone.

Kalkara village developed as a seaside settlement towards the end of the 19th century. Today its townhouses are adorned with timber and wrought iron balconies, ornate corbels, doorways with 'arzella' motif and other local vernacular architecture. Kalkara gained in popularity as a place of residence in more recent years.

Copies of the guidelines may be seen or purchased from MEPA, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana: http://www.mepa.org.mt

Submissions are to be sent to the director of planning, Kalkara Residential Development (Public Consultation), Malta Environment and Planning Authority, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana by November 13.