The Environment Resources Authority, local councils and NGOs had no right to appeal a decision taken by the Planning Authority to give a permit for the building of two high-rise buildings in Sliema according to statements made by PA representative Dr Abela in the review tribunal.

It was claimed that the ERA, Sliema local council and ENGOs were not able to appeal the Townsquare project since they had been represented on the planning authority when the major project was considered.

The ERA Chairman, Victor Axiak, had not attended the first hearing due to medical reasons.

Legal arguments dominated the first sitting, with the appellants arguing that this decision would set an ugly precedent since it would mean that the relevant organizations would not be able to appeal decisions on future major projects.

The 38-storey Townsquare development was first approved in August when the PA approved the project by a slim margin winning by seven to six votes.

PA chairman Vince Cassar and deputy chairwoman Elizabeth Ellul had both voted against the project.

A review tribunal will decide about the appeal on 19 January. 

PN Reaction

The Nationalist Party called on Prime Minister  Joseph Muscat to respond to the statements made by Dr Abela, which they said was a setback to the environment and residents alike.

The PN also said that this was a clear setback to those who believed that the prime minister's idea to separate of MEPA would provide the ERA and local councils with a stronger voice.

The separation, the PN claim, has actually weakened institutions that are there to protect the nation's collective interest in the environment whilst also creating a corrupt establishment.