The Siggiewi local council has issued another appeal to the authorities to reconsider anew the development of the ‘affordable housing’ project in the locality, which is set to start this week.

In a press release, Siggiewi Mayor Alessia Psaila Zammit referred to the project, which is taking place fields bordering Triq it-Tabib Nikol Zammit, Triq l-Imdina and Triq Dun Manwel Zammit as an ‘exaggerated development’. 

The mayor appealed for the “better use of the land to be of service to the community instead of being used to create more obstacles in Siggiewi.”

Last Tuesday, it was reported that 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 on Monday with Labour councillors, Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said the government was listening to all stakeholders, but was determined to develop the housing project.

The project comprises of some 65 apartments, childcare facilities and sheltered housing for the elderly and had remained on plan since 2006, even if the permits were approved in 2013.  Galdes added that all relevant planning policies are being respected.

However, the Siggiewi Local Council argued that it was not consulted. “The authorities never consulted the Local Council regarding the use of the land and it is for this reason that the council always objected against the Planning Authority regarding this project,” the press release said.

At the end of last month, the Siggiewi local council had launched a petition against the 80-residence development by the Housing Authority in the locality, saying that they are objecting to the project not because of its ‘social scope’, but rather, due to ‘problems it would create in the central town zone’. They had listed planning, environment, parking, traffic, infrastructure and cleanliness as issues which may arise by going ahead with the project.

In yesterday’s press release, the Local Council said “in a meeting with Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes last week, Mayor Psaila Zammit once again asked the Government to reconsider the project by decreasing the number of residences so that obstacles regarding parking, trafficking and other density-related issues are treated, more facilities will be given to the community and part of the land will be used as an open recreational space which families from Siggiewi could benefit from.”

She added that the meeting “did not happen because the Government wanted to consult the Local Council regarding better use of the land but was requested by the mayor after she was informed development on the land would talk place.”

Galdes this week said that despite this, the development will take place, 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.

“The Siggiewi mayor even proposed to Galdes for the Local Council to facilitate discussions with the community, Siggiewi residents and organizations in order to make changes in the project to provide maximum service to the town’s community rather than going ahead as planned and creating big obstacles for the community,” the council said.

“However, the Government has insisted that it is unwilling to make these important changes in the project. The Local Council is re-issuing the appeal,” it concluded.

During his visit, Galdes said the project would also include a night shelter for the elderly. But Psaila Zammit said this was a separate project that was planned for a different zone in Siggiewi.