Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) is holding a demonstration on the University Quadrangle on Wednesday 7 September at 4 pm, to protest against the construction of a high-rise hotel.
Through a Facebook event, KSU said “It is time to rally as a united front to preserve student life. If it's not us, then who?”
KSU is encouraging students to attend this demonstration. It is also requesting students to pick up used cardboard from the KSU office, to be used as placards.
Earlier this week it was revealed that developer Mark Agius, who is one of Joseph Portelli’s business associates, is requesting an additional floor to an already approved 10-storey hotel.
The plans to construct this hotel are found on the corner of Paolo Debono street and Mons. Carmello Zammit street, which would replace the building which formerly housed Mireva bookshop.
The plans were still approved even though the case officer’s recommendation was to refuse the plans.
The case officer stated that the proposed plans of the hotel were in breach of the local plans because hotels are not considered to be of acceptable use in the area. The area’s local plans state that the zone has a building height limit of four storeys and a semi-basement and the area should be used for student accommodation, housing and other student-related shops.
The case office further said that the hotel would negatively impact the environment because it would create exposed blank party walls.
The KSU expressed how they were in full agreement with the case officer’s reasons for refusal.
Din l-Art Helwa were also vocal about their objections to the hotel. They argued that the hotel would not incorporate well within such an already densely built urban area.
KSU further said that this development would negatively impact the students’ lives and it would continue to ignore the development of student-targeted services in the area.
“Whilst the addition of student accommodation is necessary, this should not come at the cost of sustainability and proper infrastructural planning in line with the amenities of the respective area,” KSU said.