Santa Luċija residents have collected 1,065 printed and signed objections against a development that threatens a vital green lung in the town, the NGO Moviment Graffitti said in a statement on Tuesday.
Additionally, so far, a further 200 objections have been submitted online.
The development in question, being put forward by construction magnate Anton Camilleri ‘Tal-Franċiż’, would include 75 garages, 5 maisonettes, 36 apartments and 7 penthouses spread over 5 floors in an area of 1,273 square metres.
The site is along three roads in Santa Lucija: Triq Katerina Vitale, Triq il-Fortizza, and Triq l-Istefanotis, in a green area which was added to the development zone as part of the infamous rationalisation exercise back in 2006.
The Santa Luċija Local Council has also publicly announced itself against the mega-apartment complex and has unanimously voted against it.
Due to an ageing population, the NGO said that the residents printed and collected over 1,000 objections in order to fight this development of an “unprecedented” scale.
“We are overwhelmed by the hard work and courage of the residents,” Moviment Graffitti said. “The collection of over 1,000 objections in a short period of time truly highlights how negative this development is and how residents can unite against a threatening development. We hope the Planning Authority will listen to this loud alarm bell from Santa Luċija residents.”
The NGO described the project as being “concerning and alarming since it severely threatens the character of the town” and will also lead to more parking problems and more unnecessary construction.
“The visual impact of the development will be drastic to the existing townscape’s configuration and have 2 to 3 more floors than the existing surrounding buildings. The height of the building will also mean that residents in the surrounding area will be robbed of privacy,” the NGO said.
The NGO said that those who wish to object to this development can send an email to [email protected] with the subject line PA/05152/22 by Thursday 22nd September.