Partit Demokratiku today expressed its full support to Rabat residents who are currently objecting to an application (PA/07689/16) which would see a town house in Rabat’s village core demolished and replaced with a two-storey dwelling. The said town house already faced demolition in 2003, the application was then refused.

In a statement, PD said that the proposed development, if given the green light, would cause damage to our cultural and archaeological heritage. Most houses in this area sit on material such as clay and if the proposed development had to go through this may disturb the foundations and might pose a risk to the adjacent buildings.

Moreover a number of underground caverns which are situated beneath this stretch of land may be irreversibly damaged by the excavations. Demolishing the house may also negatively impact on an intricate underground water system fed by a natural stream and which dates back to the Roman times. This is a source of water supply to a number of household wells.

Partit Demokratiku said that an impact assessment studies should be carried out by the competent authorities themselves before approving any development application.