During a press conference along Mosta’s periphery, next to Cumbo Tower, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party once more voiced its concern on overdevelopment and the taking up of more agricultural land for this purpose.
“The last census held in 2011 had identified that out of 8359 residential units in Mosta, 16.2% were vacant and an additional 3.2% were only used occasionally. Then why do the authorities continuously encourage massive development?” stated AD Deputy Chairperson, Carmel Cacopardo .
The land in question this time has a superficial area of around 38,600 square metres. The Planning Authority will next Monday decide as to what type of development will be permissible on the said land.
This land was included as developable in 2006 when the then Government had included it in its rationalisation exercise. Then, the Labour Party in parliament had voted against the proposal but the Nationalist Party had voted in favour of this destruction.
The Planning Authority will consider application PC 039/09 as a result of which development of three floors and a semi-basement will be permissible development with a building height of 17.50 metres above street level. The land in question is sub-divided into 93 plots.
There are however 8 other stretches of land which have not yet been apportioned into plots. When this land is developed the total number of vacant dwellings will necessarily increase.
There are other vast stretches of land which like this one in Mosta have been added within the development zone, including for example land in Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri on the periphery of Attard, close by.
Alternattiva Demokratika invites the Labour Party whch way back in 2006 voted in Parliament against the development of this and other vast stretches of land to be consistent and take the necessary steps, if it has not changed its mind as a result of being elected in Government,” concluded Carmel Cacopardo.
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Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, present at this morning’s press conference on the outskirts of Mosta, reminds this Government that when in 2006 the eNGOs had organised a protest march against the Rationalisation scheme, Joseph Muscat had wanted to address the protest, criticising the plans to take up more agricultural land for construction.
Now that the PL is in Government and in a position to save what has not yet been built, it is reversing its position and allowing the rape of the land to increase, to the detriment of the health and quality of life of residents.
It is significant that in 2016, the very year when permits for high-rise started to be approved, the Planning Authority also issued a record number of Out of Development Zone (ODZ) permits. This proves the fallacy of the politicians’ mantra, repeated ad nauseam, that “it is better to build up than build out” deplorably highlighting the dishonesty of the Maltese planning system.
The takeover of agricultural land is happening all over the island, not just in Mosta. However a scenic site like Durumblat, where fields are still being worked next to historic Cumbo Tower, shows how greed is being allowed to destroy Malta’s historic landscapes, the very essence of what makes Malta special, to the detriment of public health, well-being and the economy.