Żurrieq residents urge action to stop Nigret development plans

Żurrieq residents held a protest on Sunday over plans for the building of apartment blocks over fields in Nigret, saying they would undermine the character of the area and reduce open space.

The demonstration was organised by NGO Il-Kollettiv and the Żurrieq Residents' Group after three planning applications were filed for the area in recent weeks. The demonstrators want those applications to be revoked. 

Together, the applications propose the building of 37 apartments and maisonettes on land that was previously outside the development zone but was earmarked for development under the 2006 rationalisation scheme. 

Developer James Barbara submitted the planning control applications signed by former PN planning minister George Pullicino after the PA’s executive council voted unanimously in July 2023 to allow the development to take place on the arable land.

Residents at the demonstration Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The demonstrators, including residents, activists and politicians, went to the site on Sunday holding placards that read “What are we leaving our children?” and “Project Grey”, a pun on the government’s Project Green initiative.

Banners at the protest read “For Nigret, For Everyone” and “The Żurrieq Community against the development of Nigret”.

Matthew Borg, from the Żurrieq Residents Group, said that the issue should not become a partisan political blame game.

“The mistakes of the past need to be tackled today. Otherwise, we'll end up without having a breath of fresh air,” he said, in a dig at the PN's Nifs Ġdid slogan. People of the area would not realise their dreams, he added, in a reference to Labour’s “Your dream, our project”.

Those present for the protest included Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba, Carmel Cacopardo, Brian Decelis and Melissa Bagley from ADPD, and Alaister Farrugia from Momentum.

MEP Alex Agius Saliba present at the activity Photo: Chris Sant Fourneri

Annalisa Schembri, a farmer whose family has for generations tilled government-owned land in nearby Tal-Bebbux, gave an impassioned speech about the uncertainty faced by residents and farmers.

“Protesting during an election campaign that is promising everything to everyone is something to think about. Whatever the authorities say and whatever they promise about the environment and planning are not being believed,” she said.

Schembri said voters would not base their decisions solely on fresh promises but “on what you did and even more so what you didn’t do.”

“Revoke these applications,” she told the Prime Minister, who earlier this week promised that Nigret and Tal-Bebbux would not be developed.

She said the promise was not enough and that “to revoke the application means action.”

Żurrieq resident John Schembri spoke about the value of green open spaces, for the community and for people’s wellbeing.

“We want to come out here to breathe and live in peace. We don’t want loud noise behind our doors,” he said.

Other speakers included representatives of residents’ groups from other localities.

Caroline Caruana, from the Marsascala Residents Association, questioned the value of economic growth if people did not feel their quality of life was improving. 

Ruben Abela from Wirt Zejtun Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Architect Ruben Abela, from Wirt iż-Żejtun, who worked with the Planning Authority for 14 years and was involved in the 2005 development control guidelines, spoke about the importance of protecting the skyline of Malta’s villages.

He said that while there was discussion about revising local plans, it was important to remember that they had already been revised in 2015 but were never published because some wanted development boundaries extended.

“Everybody just thinks of their own interests, and because of that, the plans keep being pushed back,” he said.

The final speaker was Olivia Gauci, from the Mellieħa Residents Group, who had previously spoken publicly about development in Mellieħa Heights, which will see the construction of a 109-unit apartment block.

“What happened to us can happen to you, and if you don't fight, it will happen,” she said.

Gauci urged those elected to parliament not to be indifferent to residents’ concerns and to work directly with communities.

A render by Residenti Żurrieq of how the apartment blocks will look like.