Plans for 460 apartments in ex-quarry at Mellieħa, Malta

A 460-home apartment complex complete with underground parking could rise from a former quarry, if planners agree. The project, at Ta’ Masrija, in Mellieħa, involves three separate planning applications and covers an area of around 24,000 square metres – about the same size as five football pitches. Although the site is within official development zones, the Environment Protection Department said the complex would have a “significant impact” on the landscape because of its location on the Mellieħa ridge. In its response to the plans, the department said this impact would be “con­siderable”, “substantial” and “difficult to mitigate”, despite proposed landscaping. However, it said this had to be seen in its fuller context as this latest proposal has been scaled back and would be an addition to a built-up area that already extends right up to the verge of the bypass. Meanwhile, local residents have complained that the building’s height would lead to the loss of their privacy, views and overshadow their properties. Some even said they were considering moving away from the area. However, the applicants say their plans address the residents’ concerns and respect the height limitation...