Kalkara valley lobby in bid to stop development

Excavation work in the Kalkara valley got off to a rocky start yesterday when members of the Front Ghall-Harsien tal-Kalkara prevented workers from doing their job.

Thirty-two members of the lobby group also decided to camp in the valley overnight to hinder workers - who promised to return this morning accompanied by more police, the front's secretary Mark Montebello said.

No incidents were reported yesterday as police were also called to the scene.

"We are prepared to do our utmost to stop this needless development," he charged.

When contacted, a spokesman for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said the permit for the construction of a basement garage and a two-storey terraced house was granted on September 17.

Last January the PA board approved the draft local plan for Grand Harbour, which included residential development in Kalkara valley.

Last August, a judge in the Civil Court dismissed an application for a warrant of prohibitory injunction filed by Kalkara council against the development in Kalkara Valley.

The council claimed the local plan did not conform with the structure plan and as such the policies required the approval of parliament.

The court ruled that MEPA had not made any changes to the structure plan and, as such, the local plan did not need the approval of parliament.

Kalkara mayor Michael Cohen protested that the local council was not aware that works were going to start yesterday and said there were further court proceedings on the matter pending next month.

Alternattiva Demokratika said it was shameful that the "destruction" of Kalkara Valley had started.

"The destruction is unsustainable and will have a negative effect on the quality of life of Kalkara residents," AD environment spokesman Mark Causon said.