From Ms S. Harris

As a regular yearly visitor to Malta for the last 23 years, and owning property opposite the Mistra Village complex, I am writing to share our concerns regarding the over development beginning to happen on your lovely Island.

What a shame the Maltese government is allowing the prospect of European money to turn Malta into another Spain, to allow high-rise development at all cost, with a disregard for its people and their environment.

As a long-term visitor to the island, and with my husband being born to a Maltese mother, we are sad to see a gradual increase in the number of shell buildings that have been allowed to stand unsold/unoccupied for several years. It is disappointing, when speaking to Europeans, that very often their view of Malta is not “what a beautiful island it is becoming” but more “what a very untidy building site it is”.

We feel that if Malta is to prosper like the rest of Europe, more consideration must be given to people like ourselves who invest heavily in Malta and wish to continue to do so. We feel that if this does not happen, then we will not be alone in removing our assets from the island and re-investing in places where sympathetic improvements are taking place. Having paid a premium for our current property for the luxury of a sea view, it would appear that Mepa thinks it is quite acceptable to disregard the money that has been introduced into the Maltese economy by us and many others, by considering high-rise blocks in front of our property. I understand the need for large complexes for tourist areas but fail to see why such large buildings are required in residential areas, where surrounding properties are only four-five storeys high, when so many buildings already remain empty.

It seems very underhand that these developments across Malta are being accepted by Mepa with no consultation with the nearby residents and are introduced as a fait accompli.

It will be interesting when Malta falls in line with the rest of Europe, where we have to pay a community tax on our properties, whether occupied or not. Will this mean that even more property will come onto the market, with no foreseeable buyers? Mepa needs to understand that without providing an attractive environment to encourage European investment, they may find that all they have achieved is a “concrete jungle” that no one wishes to visit or live in.

Thank God that Malta has a Green Party to champion these sorts of injustices that take place.

Susan Harris

FAIRLIGHT

HASTINGS

UK