Parliament greenlights Żabbar land transfer for social housing

Parliament unanimously approved the transfer and acquisition of 53.3m² of private land in Żabbar to the Housing Authority at the price of €83,280, for the construction of social housing units.

The motion was tabled and presented in Parliament by Affordable Housing Minister Roderick Galdes, who explained that the demand for social accommodation has remained significant and argued that every viable portion of land in the Housing Authority's possession should be utilised in the "best possible manner".

According to the motion, the land transfer will improve the potential of the Housing Authority's site, increasing the number of social housing apartments from 36 to 46.

Currently, the Housing Authority owns three parcels of land in the limits of Żabbar, in an area known as Tal-Imnieġel, accessible from Triq Wied il-Għajn, Triq il-Krexxuni and Triq il-Ħawt.

One parcel of land measures 1,549m² and is intended to be developed into social housing apartments. The two smaller parcels measure 7.7m² and 63.6m², with the latter backing into the rear of a privately-owned garage complex accessible from Triq Wied il-Għajn. 

The third party owns a triangular parcel of land adjacent to the authority's larger parcel, measuring 53.3m², together with part of the road directly in front of the divided parcel of land, measuring 130m².

The Housing Authority argued that the third-party land was required for the public purpose of developing social housing dwellings, quoting Article 31 of the Government Lands Act. 

The owner of the private third party agreed to participate in negotiations for a land exchange, and the Housing Authority engaged architect Denis Camilleri to prepare a valuation report of the land. 

The Housing Authority plans to exchange two small parcels of land for the triangular parcel owned by the private third party, together with the section of road frontage. 

An original valuation report found the authority's land valued at an average of €2,400 per square metre, and the private land valued at €3,200 per square metre - a discrepancy of €82,208. 

A new survey was carried out, resulting in a new demarcation line between the respective tracts of land, leading to a more regular boundary line. The exercise led to an increase in the number of social housing apartments from 36 to 46.

The report concluded that the two Housing Authority parcels to be transferred - measuring 71.3m² - have a value of €171,120. The triangular parcel of land and a partial part of the road were valued at €254,000.

The Authority agreed to pay the private landowner a one-time payment of €83,280 to settle the difference in value.