MEPA draws up residential, commercial brief for Paceville development

A development brief prepared by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority is proposing to redevelop over three hectares of land in Paceville into a residential and commercial area.

The development would come complete with a landscaped pedestrian area, an underground 1,500-vehicle public car park, a new bus terminus and junction improvements.

The development area includes two sites, Pender Place and Mercury House, linked by a subway.

The development brief has been published for public consultation.

Pender Place and Mercury House are the last major sites in Paceville with potential for significant, large-scale development. Given the importance of the area for tourism and its role as Malta's main entertainment hub, the development brief ensures a comprehensive and high standard urban design that would upgrade the area. The brief addresses major issues related to Paceville, particularly the road network, parking and public transport facilities.

Pender Place, situated along St Andrew Street, is currently being used as a car park. The development brief is proposing predominantly residential development in this area, with some ground floor retail uses. There will also be an internal square and a pedestrian area.

Pender Place will be linked by a subway to the Mercury House site where a 19th century building, scheduled Grade 2, lies vacant. The scheduled part of Mercury House is to be restored and used for bars, restaurants, small retail units and tourist attractions. Commercial uses are proposed for areas adjacent to Mercury House.

"In order to achieve the right balance between public open space and new development, a flexible approach is being adopted towards building heights in this development brief," MEPA said.

The developer would be required to prepare a traffic impact statement on the proposed development and also to contribute towards the transport infrastructure of the area.

Copies of the development brief may be seen or purchased from MEPA's offices at St Francis Ravelin, Floriana, and available for viewing at St Julian's local council and on the MEPA website.

Submissions are to be sent by December 31.

http://www.mepa.org