Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) chairperson Harry Vassallo yesterday expressed his regret over the conversion of a Sliema Town Square project into a 32-storey high-rise building, which he described as “another hijack by the construction lobby.”

Speaking at a press conference in Tower Road, Sliema, the AD chairman pointed out that the Sliema Town Square was initially planned to give Sliema a much-needed pedestrian area and gardens. But “what was thought to be an upgrade of an area, ended up being an exercise of land speculation on a massive scale,” he added.

However, while AD is objecting to high-rise development in the area, they are still in favour of more accessible areas for the public, said Dr Vassallo.

He added that the areas in Sliema earmarked for high-rise development should have been submitted to a strategic environment assessment that should among other things, study the impact the projects will have on the drainage system, and water and electricity demand.

Sliema AD councillor Michael Briguglio said that according to the Mepa structure plan, “Sliema is already overdeveloped and further development should be discouraged.”

However, he pointed out, the project will do nothing but continue along the same trend.

Furthermore, said Mr Briguglio, the residents will suffer from countless nuisances including the noise from the excavation works on Fort Cambridge and Town Square site, dust emissions and vibrations caused by drilling.

He also said that it will only increase the traffic problem in Sliema.

“It has been estimated that around 12,000 trips will be required to carry away construction and demolition waste.

This will further degrade the air quality, considering the health hazard caused by the copious amounts of black smoke emitted from heavy vehicles,” said Mr Briguglio.

Dr Vassallo said that it is estimated that there will be an increase of 2,500 vehicles owned by the residents in the new Tignè project.

He added that according to a study carried out in Balzan, it was found that there was a higher rate of cancer and asthma in women residing in the area.

“The traffic in Sliema is much heavier than it is in Balzan and one can only imagine how it will increase when these projects are completed,” said Dr Vassallo.

Furthermore, Mepa needs to evaluate the collective impact the projects – including Tignè and Fort Cambridge – will have on the residents.

Mr Briguglio said he will present a motion during the next Sliema local council meeting that will be held tomorrow.

“The motion will request the local council to oppose unsustainable parts of the project – the 32-storey high-rise building that was never mentioned in the original representations made by the developers several years ago,” he explained.

Dr Vassallo added that AD has already sent its objections to Mepa highlighting these points.

“We hope that our and the residents’ plight do not fall on deaf ears and that the interests of the construction lobby are put aside for once.”