Mepa has approved an application by the owners of Pama Shopping Village to screen unsightly equipment on the back wall of the Mosta supermarket.
The works will allow the owners to finally apply for a trading licence, having been operating without one since opening in November, but the works will only be carried out once roadworks being undertaken by Transport Malta in the same road are completed.
Pama cannot apply for the licence without a compliance certificate from Mepa in relation to the decision taken two months ago on the “unsightly services” installed on Pantar Road. The owners were also fined €58,000 for works carried out without a permit.
The owners will also install landscaping planters along the boundary wall
The situation was brought to the attention of the Trading Licences Unit, which has contacted the operators warning them to regularise their position within a given time window, failing which the police will be asked to intervene.
Although the planning authority demanded that the equipment on Pantar Road be relocated, it yesterday granted a permit for the owners to instead install timber-finish aluminium slats at regular intervals along the back wall to screen the equipment.
The owners will also instal landscaping planters along the boundary wall, which will be painted to improve its visual impact.
Mepa imposed a bank guarantee of €100,000 to ensure the works are completed within three months of the Transport Malta roadworks being finalised.
During yesterday’s hearing, the owners also agreed to fund a number of Mosta council projects – including upgraded playgrounds and pavements and a historical book – in place of a €500,000 environmental planning gain imposed by Mepa.
Pama Shopping Village is built on a 32,000 square metre site on Triq Valletta in the limits of Mosta, centred around a 3,000 square metre supermarket which also houses restaurants and retail outlets. The site includes an adjoining retail complex featuring home and fashion outlets and extensive underground and street level parking.