Alternattiva Demokratika has called for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s intervention to ensure that Villa Degiorgio in Sliema, next to the Three (One) Trees Roundabout, is not demolished to make way for development that goes against the said Mepa regulations.

Speaking during a small conference outside the villa, AD’s Sliema councillor Mike Briguglio said: “Both Sliema local council and AD are actively supporting residents in their objection to the proposed development in High Street and Dingli Street.”

He continued: “The development is within Sliema’s Urban Conservation Area and has been heavily criticised by Mepa’s auditor. It cannot and should not be justified according to planning regulations. Besides, it will ruin the area vein that it will go straight into back gardens at High Street, Dingli Street, Borg Olivier Street and Victoria Junction while also increasing pressure on traffic in an already congested area.”

AD chairman Arnold Cassola chipped in: “It is high time that Mepa takes into account the statements of its own auditor and of objections made by the council and residents. The fact that the development is characterised by two applications, one of which is already being approved, might result in another situation where development works take place before an appeal is heard.”