Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar is strongly objecting to a planned project to build offices, meeting rooms, a shop and restaurant on thepublic open space/road between Gzira Gardens and the yacht marina quay.

This violates the need for open spaces, never more evident than in the post-pandemic period, depriving the public of around 585sq m, or half a tumolo of public land for the building and a large outdoor catering that cannot be justified in any way, the FAA said in a statement.

The development site is part of the green lung of historic Gzira Gardens. Moreover the site is part of the Valletta Fortifications Area of High Landscape Value and the structure will block views of the Valletta UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Transport Malta, the applicant, should be looking after the public’s transport needs, and not applying for the construction of restaurants for the benefit of the few, the FAA said. There is absolutely no need for more restaurants in the area, as dozens of restaurants line the road from Gzira to Sliema, with two in the garden itself. If offices are needed, rental space is available across the street, or a floating office like that of the adjacent marina can be used.  If this permit is granted, it will lead to other offices and restaurants blocking the Ta’ Xbiex shoreline.

The Local Plan designated this as a Public Open Space, not a developable area.  This project will reduce the much-used promenade linking Sliema to Gzira, Ta' Xbiex and Msida to a narrow 2m pathway, while two-way traffic will be funnelled into a 3m bottleneck.  The design eliminates about 70 car spaces, thereby exacerbating an already desperate parking situation on Ta’Xbiex Seafront where there is an acute shortage of parking spaces for residents, berth holders to two marinas, office staff and clients in both Ta’ Xbiex and Gzira.

Neglected Gzira Gardens should be the main focus of such an application, yet there is no indication of the promised upgrade in terms of layout, planted areas or trees to be affected.

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar urged Ta’ Xbiex an Gzira Local Councils as well as the general public to call for this application to be refused, as open public spaces are scarce in the area and should not be built up and taken over for commercial purposes.  Green areas are to be protected and enhanced for our quality of life, not built upon, the NGO said.