More than 24,000 people have signed a petition asking the Prime Minister to “save the green heart of Mosta” by revoking a permit that would allow 24 apartments to be built on the edge of a protected valley.

The valley contains the last standing rubble shed, or girna, in a village

The petition, spearheaded by environmental NGO Ħarsien Patrimonju Mosti, also called for the restoration and protection of the valley known as Wied il-Għasel.

NGO secretary Jonathan Paul Cuschieri yesterday presented the petition to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and, later in the day, delivered a copy to Opposition leader Joseph Muscat.

The petition called on Dr Gonzi to “instruct the relevant authority” – that is the Malta Environment and Planning Authority – to withdraw the permit granted in 2009.

Nature Trust had appealed the decision and the Planning Appeals Board will be giving its final decision on June 21.

The petition argues the permit violates several planning policies since it allows development on the side of a valley that is a protected nature and tree reserve.

The valley is the only one in Malta and Gozo that passes through a town or village. It contains protected old rubble walls and the last standing rubble shed, or girna, in a village, the petition points out.

It also says throughout the years the planning authority has had to intervene as the developer infringed various permit conditions.

Some 24 residents had sworn under oath that the developer never affixed the planning notice to the site according to law. As a result they were not made aware of the project and could not object.

The government should intervene to stop the illegal permit from being approved on appeal, the NGO said. It also called on the Prime Minister to ensure no development is allowed in the ecologically sensitive area. The NGO has the backing of other organisations including Alternattiva Demokratika and the Ramblers’ Association.

For information about the petition, visit www.it-tarka.com.