Santa Luċija residents came together on Saturday to protest against the mega-development of 48 apartments and 78 garages in an open space in the locality. 

The protest was held in the area known as ‘l-għalqa taż-żiemel’ in Katerina Vitale Street and was organised by the local council, which has unanimously objected to the development.

Protesters argue that the project will mar the streetscape in an area where two and three-storey buildings are predominant. 

The application PA/05152/22 proposes the development of six-storey apartment block is proposed by the developmer Anton Camilleri, better known as ‘tal-Franċiż’.

The Planning Authority is set to hear the proposal on Friday. 

Santa Luċija mayor Charmaine St John addressed angry residents on Saturday. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Addressing the crowd, Santa Luċija mayor Charmaine St John said there are around 1,500 objections to the project, and that both the council and residents share the same concerns about the development.

“The height and volume of this development are excessive and it will jar the existing two-storey streetscape and will result in the loss of natural sunlight,” she said.

“The development will impact the characteristics of Santa Luċija, which is so close to our heart. Santa Luċija is one of the few towns that was designed and planned holistically, with low-lying buildings."

She said if high buildings are developed in the area, Santa Luċija would lose its sense of harmony.

She said the proposal would take up public open space, and that the SPED policy dictated that green spaces in public areas should be increased and not reduced. 

“It will also result in an intensification of traffic inside our town, ruining the distinct character in which it was built,” she added. 

Her sentiment was echoed by other Labour councilors, who stood by the council's stance against the development. 

PN Minority leader of Santa Luċija local council Liam Sciberras highlighted how many Maltese towns have lost their character due to developers' greed. Photo: Jonathan Borg

PN minority leader Liam Sciberras also pointed out the project’s incongruity with the way Santa Luċija is designed, lambasting its excessive height. 

“We are unfortunately seeing many other towns losing their character because of developers’ greed," he said.

"We do not want our town to suffer the same fate. How many towns are built like ours, with particular attention to open spaces," he asked the crowd.

He referred to Prime Minister Robert Abela's speech on how he disagreed with pencil developments in Santa Luċija. 

"I sincerely appreciate his stance on the matter. But this proposal is worse than a pencil building. It's a monster. Once he has spoken out against pencil buildings, will he speak out against this development?"

Many residents voiced their disgust and concern at Camilleri’s project, especially about the building’s massing.

‘Project adheres to all planning policies’- developer

In a statement, developer Anton Camilleri said the project follows all the necessary planning policies and goes ‘above and beyond’ what is required by law. 

“It is being proposed according to the height limitations and regulations that apply for the area,” he said.

“This project represents a comprehensive development, not a pencil building, and aligns with Malta’s policies for quality housing, ample parking, and public open space. The Planning Authority’s recommendation for approval reinforces the project's meticulousness and adherence to established policies.”

He said contrary to the claims, he said the land in question has always been privately owned and earmarked for development since the 2006 Local Plans. Responding to claims that the development will take away public spaces, Camilleri said the project will add 425 square metres, which will be maintained by the developer at his own expense. 

Developer Anton Camilleri said the project is in line with all the necessary planning policies and is the same height as the surrounding government apartments.

He said the development is surrounded by government apartments of the same height as the project, and other four, five and six-storey buildings. 

"We express our concern over the misinformation circulating about our policy-based development," he said.

The statement ended with an invitation to the council and NGO to ensure accurate information prevails.