Appeal against db Group tower extension to move ahead after crowdfunding
Objectors raise over €7,500 in small donations to cover appeal costs
Pembroke and Swieqi residents, activist groups and local councils are moving ahead with an appeal to block extensions of two db Group towers in St George’s Bay after a successful crowdfunding.
The extension was approved by the Planning Authority last month and will allow the construction group to increase the height of two towers it is building from 17 and 18 storeys to 23 and 25 respectively.
db Group argued that it was entitled to increase the height of the towers as it remained within the maximum Floor-Area Ratio (FAR) permitted for high-rise developments.
The PA ruled in its favour, voting by eight votes to two to approve the extension.
The expanded towers will allow db Group to increase the number of high-end apartments it has for sale in the development. The vast majority of apartments planned in the original design were quickly sold on plan.
Objectors say the increase is excessive, unjustified and will further plunge nearby residents into darkness by shadows cast by the towers.
They also note that plans to build a tunnel to divert traffic and noise to and from the area underground never materialised and has been quietly shelved.
The tunnel promise, objectors said in a statement on Saturday, “was a cynical ruse deliberately advanced to obtain planning approval under false pretences.”
“DB has already profited enormously from public land, suffocated residents, damaged the natural environment, and buried historical buildings. Its project for a hotel and two towers next to thousands of Pembroke residents - living literally across the road - was approved by compromised authorities who ignored tens of thousands of public objections and the strong opposition of three local councils,” they said.
“The Planning Authority (PA) and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) continue to disregard the legitimate concerns of residents, imposing large-scale developments that overwhelm local infrastructure and irreversibly damage the character and liveability of the community.
“It is a shame that residents, organisations, and local councils are forced to expend time, energy, and resources challenging shameful decisions taken by public authorities that run counter to the public good. Nevertheless, the fight to protect our environment and quality of life will continue,” objectors said.
Objectors raised over €7,500 to finance the appeal through a crowdfunding effort that drew donations from 125 people.
Appellants include eNGOs Moviment Graffitti and Din l-Art Ħelwa, the St Julian’s and Swieqi local councils and various Swieqi and Pembroke residents.
Pembroke’s local council, which originally said it would back the extension in exchange for a €3 million payment from db Group only to reverse its position following public outcry, was not listed among appellants.