Works on a massive ‘affordable housing’ project in Siggiewi will start this week despite the objections of residents and the local council.

Visiting the site yesterday, Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said the government was listening to all stakeholders but was determined to develop the housing project.

The site is located in Triq Dun Manwel Zammit.

Galdes said the project, comprising some 65 apartments, childcare facilities and sheltered housing for the elderly, has remained on plan since 2006, even if the permits were approved in 2013. He said that all relevant planning policies are being respected.

He said the project would go forward despite the council’s “attempts to stop it at the last minute.” He said that, should the council’s request be accepted the process would have so start afresh and funds acquired for it would be lost.

Galdes said the submissions made by the residents and the councils had been heard and it had been decided to keep the height of the project in line with existing buildings, even if there was a permit for an extra floor.