db Group CEO Arthur Gauci failed to answer specifically whether the proposed tunnel, which is essential to the development on the ITS site, will be constructed before or after the development is completed, and whether the taxpayer or the developer would be footing the bill. 

“Go look at the public contract,” he told Graffiti member Andre Callus during a fiery meeting between the developers, residents and NGOs ahead of db Group’s proposed development of a 37 storey tower, hotel, and 24,000 sqm shopping mall at the former ITS site.

Callus had told the representatives that their whole project was based around a ‘fantasy’ tunnel that there is yet to be an application on, to which Gauci repeatedly said that they have a commitment to construct the tunnel. 

Pembroke Mayor Dean Hili seemed to agree with Callus, saying that he could not understand how such developments can be approved when the surrounding infrastructure was not completed.

Apart from the existing traffic issues in the area, residents have long expressed their concerns that the area’s infrastructure is not adequate to sustain the extra 7,500 daily car journeys into the area generated by the project.  

After facing incessant criticism for failing to take into account the needs of the developers and how the group repeatedly failed to understand the needs and issues the community faces, Gauci said that the development followed regulations and that they ‘do not make the laws of this country’ when facing strong reactions over the project from the audience.

“We live in a civil country,” Gauci said. “There are rights and obligations and we are citizens like you. The application was done according to permits, so much so, that the initial ideas had to be changed because they did not follow regulations.”

Residents of Pembroke will be holding a protest on Wednesday on the theme ‘Do No Bury us Alive’, against the mega-development proposed for the former Institute of Tourism Studies site.

Those objecting to the proposed development by the db Group expressed fears that Pembroke, Swieqi and St Julian’s are threatened by the construction which will effectively bury people alive under the long shadows cast by a gigantic 37-storey tower and a 19-storey resort hotel, unlimited commercialisation, endless traffic and hazardous dust.

The architect of the project insisted that the effect the shadows would have on residents would be minimal, and would be worst in the winter months, which brought groans from the audience. 

“You are insulting our intelligence,” an audience member said.

“You have to look at the whole scenario,” the architect said, reiterating that the effect would be minimal on most residents throughout the year.

Callus also raised concerns about the effects the development will have on the residents of the area during the construction, with the db representatives failing to give assurances that the development will not take throughout the day.

“We will work according to the regulations set out by the relevant authorities and in our permits,” the architect said.

During the initial presentation from db, the developers displayed a parking survey, which was conducted between 6 March and 10 March of this year, which showed that during the week it peaks during the morning and falls in the evening, while on the weekend it would peak in the evenings and fall in the morning.

But the credibility of the survey was questioned, given the massive influx of individuals who enter the area during the summer, be it in the morning or evening.

The development says they will create a 99 space car park which will be dedicated exclusively for residents. 

The revised plans also see db Group commit itself to what it terms a ‘Green Travel Plan’, which will see the purchase and installation of e-bike stations, cycling repair facilities, and adequate showering and changing facilities.

30 electric vehicle charging points will also be installed, which is predicted to cost €300,000; while a minivan service for all employees (expected to be 700 people) at the development will be introduced.

Parking fees will be reduced to incentivise car-pooling, and a pre-information and reservation system will be introduced.