In view of the db Group’s separate development application for the proposed excavation of the former ITS site (PA/05533/19), residents, three Local Councils and ten NGOs are encouraging the public to submit an objection to the Planning Authority (PA).
Although this application is separate to the one already submitted by the company two years ago, it concerns the same project, a statement said. This project, which has already been rejected by public opinion, will have very negative permanent effects on all aspects of the quality of life of residents in the vicinity of the proposed massively disproportionate buildings and of those who live and work in the surrounding towns and villages. Persons can object by using this online form and they can do so until Monday 26 August.
The application for standalone excavation is a clear case of an attempt to evade a holistic evaluation of the full impacts of the development. It is obvious that the whole planning and assessment procedure is being split into many stages to avoid having a study on the whole, final, gargantuan project and its environmental and related impacts.
This application for large scale excavation has been processed within a week, with no indication of what is to become of the excavation waste. The proposed excavation of the site also extends below the Grade 2 Scheduled building and the Cold War bunker, whilst still stating that these buildings were to somehow be 'retained'. Such a damaging request, being proposed in isolation of the intended colossal development, is completely unacceptable.
It is also to be highlighted that excavation of the former ITS site was part of the db Group’s permit that has been struck down by court. Filing a separate application for excavation at this stage is clearly in contempt of court and a blatant ruse to circumvent the effects of the ruling. It is illogical to request a permit for excavation in relation to a project for which there is no permit in hand. Such an application can mean only two things: that the approval of the whole project is a foregone conclusion, thus admitting that the planning system is a farce, or that there is the risk of excavations taking place without the project being eventually approved, leaving a massive hole and a site ruined beyond repair. It is one way or the other.
Following the courtroom victory which annulled the permit issued by the PA Board for the City Centre project, residents, Local Councils and NGOs vow to continue forcefully opposing the db Group’s megalomaniac plans that would have devastating impacts on the quality of life and the environment.
Local Councils: Pembroke, St. Julian’s and Swieqi
NGOs: Archaeological Society of Malta, Bicycle Advocacy Group, BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Isles of the Left, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta and Ramblers Association