The Church’s environment commission (KA) has written to the Chairperson of Hard Rock International, Jim Allen, appealing to him to urge the db Group to rethink the controversial Pembroke project.

db Group plans to build a 37-storey residential tower and a 19-storey complex, which includes a Hard Rock hotel, at the former ITS site.

In its letter, the commission noted that Hard Rock Hotel’s mottos are: “Love All – Serve All, All is One, Take Time to Be Kind, Save the Planet”.

Moreover, the Hard Rock Hotel’s Philanthropy statement attests that “Music may be our differentiator, but philanthropy is our soul. Since 1971, Hard Rock has believed it’s our duty to help protect the planet and give back to our communities. We have a deep compassion for others and a dedication to making the world a better place to be.”

“The KA feels that these statements are almost offensive and insensitive considering the negative impacts that this development (should this proposal be approved) will incur particularly on the Pembroke town community. The KA is therefore appealing directly to you, as Chairperson of Hard Rock International, to oblige the developers to rethink the project proposal with which the Hard Rock Hotels is closely associated, so that Hard Rock International would truly live up to its mottos and corporate social responsibility culture.”

The KA also published its official reaction to the mega development proposal.

The KA said it feels that the proposed development “runs roughshod over a planning system that is meant to create and serve sustainable communities. This is symptomatic of a planning system which is fast being dismantled to make way to a system in which priority is obviously being given to individual projects rather than to community needs – a clear consequence of illadvised policies and controversial decisions.”

The commission continued: “What is particularly worrying is that certain decisions seem to suggest that an authority tasked with planning to safeguard public interest is forfeiting long-term plans for a piecemeal approach to so-called development. Such a system does not keep the common good as its main objective, and therefore is bound to create hardships for communities and to profit speculators who, in this particular case, are also being supported by Government (and indirectly by the common taxpayer) that is granting land to them.”

It asked in whose interests were being protected by the PA.

The commission said its objections are based on a number of reasons, including the fact that the Floor-Area-Ratio is not being followed in various instances, and that the magnitude of the project “makes it evident that little, if any, consideration has been given to its impact on the adjacent communities, in terms of traffic generated, visual impact and shadowing.”

Other reasons include the major infrastructural works that would be needed and the impact this would have on the community, and the negative impact on the Natura 2000 site at Pembroke.

The KA also highlighted the lack of a master plan for the area.

It appealed to the Planning Authority to insist with Government to review and publish updated local plans.

“If such plans have already been reviewed, then why have they not yet been published for public consultation? The KA urges the PA to monitor and publish reports on how the policies that it and the Government are approving impact communities. The PA is failing communities by not carrying out such tasks. We seem to be living in a post-planning era where projects are negotiated and commitments made prior to rigorous studies and effective public consultation are carried out.”

“Such negotiations and commitments from the part of Government attempt to hijack the planning process where developers’ demands supersede any aspirations of communities of residents with the result that the interpretation of policies is being stretched to absurd lengths.”

The commission also invited the government to fund a long overdue and truly national study on the demand and supply of Maltese properties and the fiscal and economic environment that has a bearing on them. “The terms of reference for such study should be issued for public consultation and enjoy the widest agreement possible by all stakeholders.”