Environment Minister Jose Herrera has announced his support against the proposed development of a private school in Pembroke, at the protest held on Gabriele Henin Street.
“I took an oath in office to make a statement. I am here in support of the residents in the area. The government needs to start protecting public land. We are not a region or an island, we are country, we have keep sustainable and mitigate the adverse effects on investment”
The Minister remained coy when pressed by The Malta Independent on his position on the development of the American University of Malta at Zonqor Point, pointing towards false nostalgia, a term the minister said he coined himself, when describing the issue.
“When I was in cabinet, I said I would speak when I need to speak, today I am speaking, tomorrow I’ll speak again. Other times I may not.”
He admitted that the government made mistakes “in the past and presently.”
Pressed further and asked if this meant he believed no more development should occur within ODZ, Herrera said that “ODZ is ODZ.”
Dean Hili, the Mayor of Pembroke, thanked the Minister for attending and revealed that they asked the entire House of Parliament to attend the protest.
He said that the council was firmly against the development, and mocked School Director Bernie Mizzi’s claims that the project will only use 25% of the land. “The open space will only benefit the priveleged few who attend this school. This is an issue that affects the entire country and not just the residents of the locality.”
He also criticised the government for expecting the residents to bow their head simply because the area is within the development zone.
Lawyer Claire Bonnello, speaking to this newsroom on behalf of eNGO Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahajr, said that it was vital to keep his public land open, as it was the only substantial open space within the areas of the 10th district (Sliema, St Julian's, and Swieqi.) “Now it is time to call a stop to development.”
She said that it was hypocritical that a school looking to promote the environment was looking to destroy it.
A large group of people, including both residents and members of NGOs for Kamp Emergenza Ambient, turned up for the protest against the proposed Chiswick House School site.
The development had been heavily criticised on social media, and in a statement, Moviment Graffiti described the project as an "act of shameless greed."
Placards and signs reading 'Keep it Green’, 'Make it ODZ’, 'Say no to development PA/05424/17’ , 'Leave Pembroke Alone’, and 'Love the little nature we have left' were adorned on the facades of the residents of Gabriele Henin Street, and the residents themselves.
Addressing these concerns School Director Bernie Mizzi said that “We understand residents' concerns about our school occupying a portion of land that was left vacant when they built their own homes in the same area, but we also intend to make the premises available to the local community outside of school hours and believe they too can benefit from our innovative facilities."
Mizzi added that the proposed new school will introduce young children to an entirely new concept of learning by allowing them to interact with their natural environment and would take up just 25 per cent of its allocated footprint.
The school, which was identified after several other options were examined, has been in consultation with the authorities over the leasing of a new site for two years; and according to the Pembroke Development Brief in the 2006 North Harbours Local Plan the plot of land is clearly provisioned for development.
Should the proposed plans be approved, the school will incorporate a private road that will serve as a drop-off and pick-up area within the site itself rather than on the adjacent road. It will also comprise a car park for 82 vehicles, and studies are being carried out to assess traffic flows.
The project is being undertaken by the UK-based design architecture firm Mizzi Studio.
Photos and video: Michael Camilleri