Planning Authority approves 174-apartment development in Msida
Environmental NGO representative votes against the project, citing waste management concerns
The Planning Authority has approved a development consisting of 174 apartments, 250 garages and three retail outlets in Msida.
The project, filed under application PA/03117/23, includes 20 one-bedroom, 128 two-bedroom and 26 three-bedroom apartments. The proposal also features pools at different levels. The site is located on Triq ta’ Boxbox and Triq it-Torri.
The application was submitted by architect Maria Schembri Grima on behalf of Excel Investments Limited, acting for Mark Agius.
The architect said the site lies within a mixed commercial and residential area and inside the development zone. She also noted there were no objections from Transport Malta, Enemalta, the Environmental Health Directorate, the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability, the Water Services Corporation and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.
However, the Planning Authority board did not approve the application unanimously.
Romano Cassar, who represents environmental NGOs on the board, voted against the development. He raised concerns about the number of residents the project could accommodate, arguing that it would be significantly higher than the number of apartments suggests, especially considering that the majority of the apartments are two bedrooms.
Cassar called for a social impact assessment. This request was rejected by Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg, who said such an assessment can only be required when an application does not comply with local plans.
Cassar maintained his objection, citing concerns about waste management and the site’s location along a row of Grade 2 scheduled townhouses.
The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage expressed its concern that the proposed development "will impact the scheduled buildings.”
However, following revisions to the plans, the entity adopted a more positive stance and did not object against it.
“The current proposal is an improvement on what was previously proposed as it provides more open space around the scheduled buildings, whose context is already impacted by other higher buildings in their immediate vicinity. Any further mitigation measures that may be achieved would be considered positively.”
No objections to the application were submitted by members of the public present during the hearing or online.