The government’s proposal to extend the current development boundaries is in violation of Maltese and EU law, AD Chairman Harry Vassallo said yesterday.

Speaking to residents in Attard and Mellieha, Dr Vassallo explained that in terms of Maltese law, any such extensions to planning boundaries should take place within the framework of the Structure Plan review.

He said published documents are in existence that clearly state that a conservative estimate of the potential that exists for housing development stands at 98,300 residential units, and this does not take into account the 23,000

permanently vacant dwellings. With additional demand for housing units up to 2020 standing at 43,400, one fails to understand the government’s logic of exposing vast swathes of countryside to development, Dr Vassallo added.

He also expressed sympathy with the residents of Attard and Mellieha who will be exposed to a reduction in the price of their property as the new development zones begin to come on stream.

He said that the proposed development in the Tal-Bragg area of Mellieha will continue to contribute to a fall in residents’ quality of life and the loss of fertile arable land for ever.