An irate San Ġwann resident has filed a judicial protest claiming the planning authority rubber stamped the development of a mega apartment block without the transport watchdog’s approval.
“This whole thing has been a total farce. We won’t take this lying down,” Steven Saliba said.
Last week the Malta Environment and Planning Authority approved the block along narrow Żbibu Lane with 12 votes in favour and one against.
In his judicial protest, Mr Saliba argues that no final deliberation can be made before a simplification and clarification of the administrative process is provided. He told Times of Malta that Transport Malta had not yet devised a traffic solution for the area, insisting that the plans could therefore not be approved at this stage.
In 2008 the transport authority warned that the development constituted a traffic congestion threat.
We won’t take this lying down
However, the decision was later overturned against a €25,000 contribution by the developers, San Ġwann Ltd. The contribution is intended to help fund the development of the Kappara junction, which Mr Saliba believes would “wreak havoc” on the area’s road network.
“Can you imagine what it would be like once works on that major road start and this development is in full swing? It will be chaotic,” Mr Saliba said, brandishing a letter by the transport regulator saying it could not give approve the development until a decision on traffic flow was reached.
The letter reads: “Transport Malta still cannot accept additional development in this area, particularly as there is no obvious solution available.”
It is expected to discuss the traffic management system in the area next week.
The proposed development will include 60 apartments on four storeys and a semi basement. It will also include 76 underground garages.
Residents who attended a planning authority meeting on the project last week, when the permit was issued, carried posters denouncing the proposal, such as No More Developments Mepa and Ambjent Diżastru (disastrous environment).
Residents fear the project would destroy the area’s archaeological and geological “gems”.
Among the site’s notable features are ancient cart ruts and an old farmhouse structure.
Mr Saliba insists that the project violates the planning authority’s own directives, which call for developments to be in line with the surrounding area’s aesthetics.
“Mepa is obsessed with centimetres and maximum heights but clean air and aesthetics are barely given any importance,” he lamented.