Jerma brief – proposed development still ‘disproportionate’ for area – Moviment Graffitti

Pressure group Moviment Graffitti has welcomed the downscaling of the plans for the development of the former Jerma Palace site in Marsascala but said the proposed development is still “grossly disproportionate” to the size and infrastructure of the locality.

It also “offers little” in terms of the wellbeing of residents, it said.

The developable volume was reduced from 100,000sqm to 65,000sqm in the second consultation document.

The group said it agrees with the proposed demolition of the abandoned building, which is not only an eyesore for residents and tourists alike, but also poses a danger to anyone who tries to access the coast.

“Nonetheless, it remains evident that this Development Brief has been drafted with the primary intention to accommodate the interests of a few developers and with little concern for the well-being of the residents. Regrettably, the Development Brief totally ignores the potential deleterious effects that this large-scale development will have on the community and the surrounding environment, and which could become the tipping point towards an unlivable Marsascala,” it said.

It said the proposed development is still more than double the size of the former hotel, which has a floor space of 30,000 square metres.

“Encouraging such a massive development by committing 65,000sqm for development is in direct contradiction to recent warnings about saturation in tourist accommodations and claims by tourism industry experts that mass tourism and large high-end projects should make way for more sustainable economic and social models and smaller-scale investments, respectively,” Graffitti said.

“Moreover, the Development Brief would allow buildings to rise up to eight storeys, which is significantly higher than the current ex-Jerma structure. The St. Thomas Tower will be overshadowed by this massive development and the surrounding residences will also be dwarfed by the imposing structures.”

The group said it was also concerned by the fact that the development brief allows the use of the land for non-touristic purposes. 26,000sqm of floor space (which would translate to around 160 apartments) have been committed for residential purposes, it noted.

“This is in direct breach of a 1982 Parliamentary Act which decreed that the area in question could only be developed for touristic purposes. Residential development on the ex-Jerma site will only benefit the developer and will reap no social and economic benefits to the locality and its residents in the long-term,” the group said.