Floriana council calls for development of abandoned buildings

The Floriana local council is calling on the government to work with the private sector and develop abandoned buildings into habitable houses.

Mayor Nigel Holland said the hamlet was littered with unsightly buildings, which should be developed into residential homes.

Mr Holland emphasised that the council was against buildings being turned into commercial outlets but conceded that doing so would be an investment.

He was speaking in front of a block of apartments still under construction in Argotti Street, corner with Lion Street, in the area known as Balzunetta. The building had been the centre of a controversy last year when the developers' contract was terminated because the work was not up to standard.

Mr Holland said construction work was now complete and residents were expected to move in by the end of next year.

In years gone by, the area was an entertainment centre for sailors but today most establishments have become derelict. The street, which has not yet been laid, is littered with waste.