Residents call for moratorium on plans in rationalisation areas while policy is reviewed
A sizeable number of resident associations joined forces on Sunday to call on the government for a review of existing plans and policies that takes into account the present realities faced by residents today.During a press conference in Zurrieq &ndas
A sizeable number of resident associations joined forces on Sunday to call on the government for a review of existing plans and policies that takes into account the present realities faced by residents today.
During a press conference in Zurrieq – the first of its kind organised by resident groups – called for an immediate moratorium on all rationalisation areas and a freeze to pending applications, until new updated studies are carried out.
“We can no longer depend on plans written in 2006 which effectively allowed swathes of countryside, sometimes also including public land, to be taken up for construction almost twenty years later. The rationalisation exercise has had disastrous effects on our localities, resulting in the destruction of buffer zones between towns, the loss of agricultural land and green spaces. This has only served land speculators,” the groups said in a statement.
Speakers from various localities agreed that any rewrite of the planning laws should give priority to the needs of residents across Malta and should be based on today’s realities. They also lambasted the proposed amendments to the DC15 policy, which would allow additional storeys to be built in many areas of Malta, flying in the face of calls by the general public and civil society for a reduction in building activity.
“There are provisions in the existing Local Plans which ought to be respected, however planning policies and guidelines – often introduced by stealth – have had negative impacts on the interpretation of these plans and by-passed the previously set strategic planning process. The responsibility for this lies with the authorities and their decision-makers, who have wilfully misinterpreted the Local Plans and secondary policies to favour more construction,” the associations said.
Residents from Żurrieq, Qrendi, Safi, Siġġiewi, Marsaskala, Żejtun and Birzebbugia spoke of how the Local Plans had a profound impact on their localities, bringing a series of challenges that have left residents feeling alone and frustrated, negatively affecting their quality of life.
The conference was introduced by Matthew Borg, treasurer of activist group Il-Kollettiv, and addressed by Justin Attard (Għaqda Residenti taż-Żurrieq), Perit Jorge Spiteri (Residenti Ħal Safin), Adriana Cassar Camilleri (Residenti tal-Qrendi), Perit Ruben Abela (Wirt iż-Żejtun), Jacqueline Rotin (Marsaskala Residents Network), Andre Schembri (Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa) and Russell Attard (Siġġiwin Nieħdu Azzjoni).
Abela, an architect who was a MEPA official during the time the Local Plans were drafted, said that the work done by professionals in 2006 was ruined by political interference. He said that the PA lost a lot of power because of this, and that the Local Plans couldn’t be revised without political blessing. In Zejtun, the promise of a revised Local Plan had never materialised. Abela warned that the DC2015 policy is being misinterpreted and will result in an increase in storeys.
Architect Jorge Spiteri, also a former PA official, said that Local Plans are usually revised every ten years, but this one has been in force since 2006. He gave examples of misleading applications by some big developers to achieve permits by stealth, such as the practice of splitting large developments into piecemeal applications.
Justin Attard from the Għaqda Residenti taż-Żurrieq said that since the association was set up a year ago to fight against a rezoning application in Nigret, its members started to discover the true extent of the damages wrought by the Local Plan and its rationalisation exercise. This exercise in speculation cause untold trouble to residents, particularly in Nigret and tal-Bebbux. Attard warned that if the rationalisation zones around Zurrieq are all built up, the town will lose its character forever.
Jacqueline Rotin, on behalf of the Marsaskala Residents Network, said that regulations are needed to ensure construction does not ruin residents’ quality of life and their towns. She said that the Local Plan for Marsaskala had more of an uglifying effect, and said that the MRN is putting pressure for a change in the Local Plan.
Rotin quoted a survey compiled by the association, where she said how residents feel that life in Marsaskala is stressful, and that most feel that the bay should be protected and construction carried out in a sustainable manner.
Russell Attard of Siġġiwin Nieħdu Azzjoni stated that building regulations have led to an uglier Siġġiewi. He spoke against massive projects with hundreds of apartments placed in towns, in complete contrast with the surroundings. Attard said that while wealth can be inherited, the same can be said about damage.
Andre Schembri, secretary of the Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa, stated that a lack of planning led to an increase in density in Birżebbuġa, with an impact on traffic and parking among others. He called for a revision of the Local Plans of the Hal Far industrial area, where virgin land is under threat by the expansion of the industrial zone – including Wied Znuber.
The press conference also saw resident groups from Marsa, Swatar, Sliema, Imqabba and Marsaxlokk in attendance. It was also endorsed by residents of Valletta and by NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa, which is engaged in a campaign against the amendments to the DC15 policy.
The groups said they will be issuing a set of demands for planning review in the coming weeks, and have called for the authorities to consult resident associations on decisions that impact them directly.
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