AX Holdings defends proposed home for the elderly

AX Holdings has expressed surprise at Lija council's decision not to support its proposal to build a home for the elderly in Mosta Street.

"The local council's decision to go against the application for an old people's home in Lija is very unfortunate," AX Holdings chairman Angelo Xuereb said in a statement.

"We are surprised that it is against this social development when the councillors know that there are many senior citizens in Lija and the surrounding towns and villages. The problem of the lack of such homes is becoming more acute across the island and many local councils are asking the government to build housing for the elderly in their locality," he said.

The council had cited the more than 40, 400-year-old olive trees on the site, which are protected by law, and the fact that the site, forming part of a valley, was also protected and outside the development zone.

Mr Xuereb said that, being a social project, the proposed development would only be economically viable if it were located outside a development scheme. Otherwise, the daily rate for the elderly would not be affordable.

This was the situation for all social projects, including social housing and schools, among others.

In the case of the Lija project, the site was adjacent to a built-up area, so the impact would be minimal, he said.

The application for the development of the site, which had already been turned down once before in 1996, was for a private residence of a completely different nature.

"We have no intention of destroying the 40 olive trees found on the site," Mr Xuereb said, adding that the area for the proposed project would not all be built up.

The project would incorporate large gardens and the majority of the olive trees would be retained. While a few trees would have to be shifted, they would be replanted elsewhere, Mr Xuereb said.

The proposed project provided for small units with a kitchenette/living area and terrace. Other facilities would include a chapel, multi-purpose hall, dining area and a clinic.

Mr Xuereb said the private sector was taking the initiative to invest in such social projects, which would alleviate the burden on the government.

Mr Xuereb invited Lija council and other interested organisations to discuss the aspects of the project they did not agree with before trying to shoot it down.