Parking spaces at Ħondoq development

Published on the Times of Malta on Tuesday 13th July, 2010 by Jane Carr.

In the environment impact assessment for the proposed project at Ħondoq ir-Rummien, there seems to be some confusion about the planned number of car parking spaces. The following figures come from appendix V3, social aspects (A3), and the coordinated/technical report (CR).

A3:2.3.1 - a total of 731 underground car parking spaces (it should actually read 741 but the figures have been added up incorrectly) - 90 of these being for the public.

A3:2.10.8 - a total of 660 underground car parking spaces (below/behind the hotel/apartments) - 80 of these being for the public.

A3:4.3.2.2.1 - "mostly" underground parking, including 90 spaces for the public.

CR:1.2.2.7 - 1,290 underground parking spaces, including 90 for the public.

CR:1.2.6.1 - 1,249 underground parking spaces, including 90 for the public.

There is a big difference between 660 car parking spaces and 1,290. Which is correct? Are they underground, mostly underground, or below/behind the accommodation units? What figures have been given in other sections of the EIA? If almost 1,300 parking places are being planned - and there are, say, 455 hotel rooms/villas/apartments/self catering units (some of which will be occupied by the yachting fraternity) - that is a very generous allowance for parking. They must be expecting a great deal of custom from outside the complex, the traffic of which will be passing through the centre of Qala. Or, perhaps, the developers are already thinking ahead for an expansion in the number of accommodation units?

To vies the articles, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100713/letters/parking-spaces-at-hondoq-development