Mellieha residents have sent a letter to the Prime Minister expressing their deep concerns over a tender which would see the development of a green area in their locality.
The tender is for the perpetual revisable emphyteusis of an open area of around 5,300 square metres bounded by Triq il-Migbha, Triq is-Saghtar, and Wesghat in-Narcis in an area known as Mellieha Heights.
The area has already been subject to bids by well-known developers who stand to make millions by developing the land into property.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister Robert Abela and sent last week, the residents are worried that the transfer of this government land to the private sector would exacerbate the existing challenges faced by the community and cause additional strain on the infrastructure, leading to further degradation of the quality of life for residents.
At the time of the writing of this article, the residents were yet to receive a reply.
Former PL Minister Evarist Bartolo and PN whip Robert Cutajar took to Facebook on behalf of the residents of the area over the weekend, blaming government for remaining quiet over the matter.
The area concerns people who live in the vicinity, who are worried that much of it will be built instead of being developed into an open space which can be enjoyed by everyone, Bartolo said.
In the letter, the residents explain how Mellieha has become a densely populated area with a heavily burdened infrastructure, and how there is a scarcity of green open spaces within its development zone. The current oversupply of multi-unit dwellings highlights the need for more accessible green spaces, instead of additional residential units.
The residents stated their firm belief that access to natural green spaces is crucial for promoting mental health and well-being among individuals, and therefore felt it is their responsibility to safeguard and conserve these invaluable resources.
The residents called for an alternative, sustainable project that would prioritise creating open space and innovative social areas that cater to the needs of their children and elderly citizens within their community. Transforming this area into a green space would be an excellent opportunity for the government and the Mellieha local council to show their genuine commitment towards the environment, they said.
A parliamentary petition, has been initiated to withdraw the tender for the site and preserve this government land for public use and enjoyment as a green open space. Over 570 Maltese citizens have signed this petition within a span of 72 hours.
By permitting similar tenders as the one being objected to, whereby an important green lung belonging to the government is being transferred to speculators, the government would effectively be departing from its objective to create vital green spaces in the communities, the tender’s detractors said.
The residents called upon the government to prioritise the best interests of Mellieha residents and the environment by taking their concerns seriously and acting sensibly. They believe that the protection and preservation of green spaces is vital for the well-being of current and future generations.
Additionally Cutajar noted how there were many parliamentary questions asked but said that when he asked Economy Minister Silvio Schembri – who is responsible for the Lands Authority – for documents related to the issuing of the tender in Parliament on 16 February, Cutajar was told that “the documents related to the tender's withdrawal are already public and accessible to everyone on the Authority's website."
Speaking to The Malta Independent, Cutajar said that in accordance to rulings by the Speaker on such matters, he should have been provided with such documents by Schembri.
The letter was also addressed to Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Economy Silvio Schembri, and to Mellieha mayor Dario Vella.