TMID Editorial: ODZ protection
The government must introduce better protection for ODZ land, especially since it continues to present itself as a government that recognizes the importance of green space.Now one would understand, for example, if a new hospital would need to be buil
The government must introduce better protection for ODZ land, especially since it continues to present itself as a government that recognizes the importance of green space.
Now one would understand, for example, if a new hospital would need to be built on ODZ land if there is no available space in the urban area for it, or, for example, for the creation of a public school, again if there is no space for the construction of such a school in an urban area.
However, we have seen applications approved in the past, two examples of which can be found in Naxxar, for private run elderly homes being approved on ODZ land by the PA Board, despite objections from the local council. Why should ODZ be allowed to be built up in this way?
There is another such application in Naxxar ODZ currently going through the Planning Authority process, where the local council again objected. At the same time, there is a planning application for a nursing home on ODZ land in Swieqi, where the local council there has also objected. Surely space somewhere in the community could be found. We need far stricter rules for what is allowed and isn't allowed to be built on ODZ land, rules that better protect such areas.
The Swieqi local council, in its objection, said that "ODZ is ODZ and there can be no compromise." It added that "Malta simply cannot continue eating up its countryside to accommodate commercial projects which could be located within urban areas marked for Development. The Planning Authority should no longer tolerate the invasion of construction into our shrinking open space, particularly where this space is not scheduled for development by the Local Plan. ODZ cannot be sacrificed in order for a developer to make money out of it at the expense of the residents. ODZ is there to be protected and enjoyed, even from outside its borders if it is privately owned."
While the government preaches about the importance of green areas, and as it pushes to create more green areas in urban spaces, it should also move to better protect the green areas that do exist in the country. Green space is limited. Allowing development on ODZ land sets a precedent for further development of the area.
This brings up another issue, the need to revise certain plans and policies. Local plans need revision for instance, but the aim of the revision needs to be on providing better quality of life for residents who live in Malta, by providing for more open spaces and height limitations that make sense for the community, and it should not be an exercise which has the primary aim of fattening developers' pockets.
The government keeps pushing the term quality, well that quality is yet to be seen, and real action needs to take place to ensure better building design, ensure that areas with low-lying buildings are not suddenly dwarfed by a tower, that green areas are better protected, and that streetscapes are better designed.
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