The provincial of the Augustinian order has defended plans to let a plot of land to a company that plans to build a 12-storey building by saying that the money earned would allow the order to be of better service in the community.

Fr Leslie Gatt told Newsbook that the income would help the order invest in its religious, social and educational efforts. He added that the money would also go towards the restoration and upkeep of several historic buildings owned by the order, which are part of the country’s heritage.

The land owned by the Order has been negotiated for its release to the owners of the Bay Street Complex, planned to home a 12-storey building, with four-star accommodation and an office complex. The land is currently being used as a makeshift car park.

The Church has been branded by some as being hypocritical, particularly because its Environment Commission (Kummissjoni Ambjent) has been highly critical of other development projects in the Paceville area. Just last week the KA blasted the db Group’s proposed mega development at the former ITS site. The KA even wrote to the head of Hard Rock International and urging him to force the developers  to rethink the project which, they says, runs counter to a number of planning policies. 

As it did in other cases, the commission also highlighted the fact that there is so far no master plan for Paceville.

Earlier this week it emerged that Archbishop Charles Scicluna asked the KA to look into the Augustinians deal as soon as he found out about it.

A Curia spokesperson told former AD chairprerson Arnold Cassola that: "please note that on learning about the project in Paceville, the Archbishop asked the Church Environment Commission to look into the facts related to this proposed development by Bay Street Holdings on land owned by the Augustinian Order. On its part, after due investigation, the Church Environment Commission will voice any concerns it may have in a clear, analytical and unequivocal manner, according to the principles it has always advocated, in the best interest of the common good."

Fr Gatt told Newsbook that the land has been let to the Bay Street group for a definite period of time. He said the application provides for a plaza, underground parking and accommodation.

It also covers the restoration of the convent and church

He said the order had not discussed the deal with the Archbishop before it was finalised.

Asked how he justified the deal when the church had been highly critical of other projects, Gatt said that according to the proposal, only half of the available land would be built up. This was being done to leave a large open space and so that the new building would not be so close to the chapel and convent. The deal, he said, would regenerate a plot of land that had lain unused for 15 years. It would bring more people near the chapel, provide parking, provide for restoration and provide financial income for the order.

Gatt also denied claims that members of the order had been instructed not to speak about the agreement.