Following the about face in the Fort Cambridge case, Alternattiva Demokratika yesterday said that it was proved right when time and again it had called for an EIA for such a massive property speculation project.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority had declared it had advice that no EIA was necessary. In fact the developer had gone ahead and proceeded with obtaining permission from the Malta Financial Services Authority to issue bonds to finance the speculation project on public land.

The facts were clear, AD said. The EU warned the government that an EIA was necessary, even if belated, for such a project. It was either that or massive EU fines. AD chairperson Harry Vassallo said all this showed that the government was doing things for appearances only. Its procrastination showed that neither the Prime Minister, Minister Geoge Pullicino, nor the MEPA board were really committed to European Union standards when it came to planning and the environment. It was developers who were given red carpet treatment to the detriment of all others.