The Malta Independent 12 November 2024, Tuesday
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TMID Editorial: ‘Hijacked by developers’

Wednesday, 30 October 2024, 08:36 Last update: about 13 days ago

This was the main message that NGO Graffitti, local councils and residents of St Julian's, Swieqi and Pembroke wanted to pass on last Saturday when they held a protest march against what they described as a "monstrous" development that will "bury them" and take away the last remaining open space in the area in St George's Bay.

Graffitti then followed it up with a protest in the Parliament chamber on Monday, a stunt that made the headlines while the budget for 2025 was being read and also raised questions about security measures.

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Graffitti then followed it up with a protest in the Parliament chamber on Monday, a stunt that made the headlines while the budget for 2025 was being read and also raised questions about security measures (which led to the Speaker of the House revising rules for visitors).

The protesters were referring to plans to build a mega-complex in what is known as the Villa Rosa area, with the government going as far as accepting to change local plans to accommodate the developers, Garnet Investments.

The developers are defending themselves saying that this is one area where high-rise towers make sense, as other such edifices have been built or are set to be built. They also argue that high-rise buildings will reduce the built-up spread and allow for more green space. They say they are also being falsely accused of wanting to destroy the valley when, they say, the Planning Authority objectives for a public consultation exercise demand that the environment is protected.

Let us remember that the Villa Rosa area set to be developed is adjacent to the db group's project on the former ITS site, which was another project of great controversy in past years until it was given the green light - much to the environmentalists' chagrin. The foundation stone for the Hard Rock Hotel Malta, which will be part of the project, was laid at the start of this month.

But let us also remember that the Planning Authority's public consultation exercise was announced after reports that the local plans will be changed. We are not naïve, Graffitti activist Andre Callus said when he was addressing the protesters last Saturday. He was implying that the PA consultation exercise is futile.

We are sure that this subject will get much space in the media in the next few months, also because the NGOs and local councils protesting last Sunday said that they will not stop here. And they did not stop, seeing what they did in Parliament on Monday.

One important fact that must be kept in mind in all this is that, aside from the development per se, there are external factors that must be taken into consideration. For example, the impact that the project will have on the general infrastructure is a great matter of concern.

The St Julian's area, including St George's Bay, is already facing huge challenges in terms of traffic management, given that the area attracts thousands of vehicles every hour. What is going to happen when thousands of other vehicles will be going and coming from the new complex that will be added to an area where, as said earlier, another mega- project is taking shape (the db project)? Not to mention the sewage, energy, water, telecommunications and other services that will be needed.

No amount of PR can hide the fact that the proposed Villa Rosa development will be disastrous for the environment and quality of life, as shown by the Environmental Impact Assessment commissioned by the developer himself, the protesters said last Saturday. "It will envelop the entire area in dust, noise, traffic, and intense commercial activity. The valley, the bay, and many homes will be cast in near-permanent darkness by the shadows of three towers ranging from 27 to 34 floors."

The government and its authorities should think about this.

 


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