Another large garden will be going under the hammer on Thursday at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. The application – to demolish and rebuild a site in Parisio Street, Sliema – is recommended for approval. The ongoing trend of building over large gardens in Sliema sees no end in spite of North Harbours Local Plan policies, the Sliema Residents Association said.
The destruction of such gardens has negative implications far beyond the immediate neighbourhood. SRA noted that while other less densely built towns and villages have the benefit of protected green enclaves, MEPA “has strangely and stubbornly not protected any of Sliema’s gardens”. Gardens have a fundamental role in improving the quality of life and well-being in various ways. “Although not immediately evident, the destruction of such green lungs has an adverse impact on residents’ physical and psychological health and wellbeing,” it added.