The University Students' Council (KSU) and a host of other university organisations said today that the government's decision on the splitting of the campus of the American University of Malta was better than the original proposal, but not good enough.

"KSU, together with the undersigned organisations, welcomes the regeneration of Cospicua’s historical building and the downsizing of development on ODZ land, but questions the need to develop 18,000 square metres all the same," KSU said.

It said no ODZ land whatsoever should be used for this project.

"We believe that more effort should be done in order to relocate the 18,000 square metres that are still planned to be built on ODZ land. Allowing this area to be developed, would only result in making room for further expansions on more ODZ land in the future."

KSU said it would continue to support Front Harsien ODZ's cry to safeguard every square metre of what’s left of our environment and to make sure that more pressure is put on the government in order to listen to its citizens and relocate the remaining area from an ODZ to an already developed site. 

FAA PLEASED PROTEST WORKED - BUT WAS SEA VIEW A REQUISITE?

Environment NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar said it welcomed the fact that the government had accepted the NGOs' proposal for the Jordanian university campus be located in different sites. The choice of Cospicua  would help as an investment in the Cottonera area.

"However, FAA is very much disappointed in the fact that, despite considerable protest, the government remains adamant on using ODZ land. While we are encouraged by the fact that farmland will not be affected, we still question as to why a considerable part of the land allocated is on ODZ. Could not other avenues have been seriously considered? Why at Zonqor?"

FAA said it had become increasingly apparent from the reason for refusal of many sites suggested, that the secret agreement signed with Sadeen promised seafront locations.

"FAA asks since when is a sea view a priority for an academic institution or are other uses planned the long-term? A heritage site such Dock One heritage has been crying for investment into top-quality tourism project for years. With other Cottonera sites available for the university, some of which have been dismissed for puerile reasons, is Dock One the best option for Cottonera residents, or simply the best option for Sadeen? What social impact and traffic studies have been made to establish which type of project would be best for Cottonera’s residents, economy and historic environment?

"When a government breaks its own laws about ODZ and fails to place the interests of its people first, entering into secret agreements, painting it as an educational investment when in fact it is a private business, who can one really trust? Haven't enough scarce land resources and monuments been lost over the past decades? The only thing being compromised, always, with such 'developments', is the environment and quality of life," FAA said.