Attard residents are up in arms over plans to allow buildings as high as 17.5 metres on a large area of virgin land at the edge of the development boundaries.
The zoning application will allow for new roads and a new height limitation of 17.5 metres, as well as villas and semi-detached houses, on a site off Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri and Triq Dun Gwann Theuma, close to the limits of Ta’ Qali.
The Planning Authority executive council is scheduled to decide on the application, which is recommended for approval, on Monday.
The 15,581 square metre plot is predominantly agricultural land and was included in the 2006 rationalisation exercise.
It is designated as an area of agricultural value and is surrounded by a residential area of villas and terraced houses. Part of the site is public land, which is included in the application.
Residents raised concerns over the increase in traffic and building density, and that the take-up of agricultural land will exacerbate flooding problems already affecting nearby homes and roads
A previous zoning application on the same site, which was larger and encroached further on ODZ land, was refused in 2014.
More than 100 Attard residents have objected to the proposal, arguing primarily that the 17.5 metre height limitation is excessive and that the limits of the adjacent villas and bungalows should be maintained. Residents have also raised concerns over the increase in traffic and building density, and that the take-up of agricultural land will exacerbate flooding problems already affecting nearby homes and roads.
Others have called for green pockets or public recreational areas to be included in the proposal, particularly the area of public land.
The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has also objected to part of the proposal, consisting of roads and pedestrian access, which extends into ODZ land.
The authority said the loss of undeveloped land in addition to that included in the scheme rationalisation is unacceptable from an environmental point of view.
The planning control officer, who assessed the application, responded to these concerns by arguing that the new roads and pedestrian access would be a continuation of the existing Triq il-Palm, recommending that the new boundary wall be built in traditional rubble wall style.
The officer said of neighbours’ objections to the height limitation that the proposed plans provided an adequate transition between the building heights established in the Local Plan and the adjacent ODZ areas.