The rape of Qui-si-Sana

The letter by the PRO of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (October 26) does little to reassure Qui-si-Sana residents about their fate. She starts off by saying that objections will be aired at a public consultation. In a reply to a parliamentary question only a few weeks ago, Minister George Pullicino quite clearly stated that the time for public consultation over the matter was long past. One or the other does not know what one is talking about.

My point about the residents' parking zone (RPZ) was that the development brief requires that a public consultation exercise, held by the developer with the local council, is carried out once the RPZ is drafted. The brief also stipulates that it be done prior to submission of the full development application.

Now that the developer's full development application is in and the time for objections is over, is there any point in a public consultation? Does the developer have to submit another full development application for the RPZ? I doubt it. I get the feeling we are to be presented with a fait accompli, which rather puts Mr Pullicino's reply into perspective.

Not much light is shed on the commercial activity to be permitted either. The issue of underground development of shops, catering or entertainment facilities is completely ignored. The noise, smells and human detritus which this type of activity generates will jeopardise the quality of life of the residents and the value of their property.

It is not even the initial development that is the real worry but the precedent set by the High Street car park of conversion of parking space to commercial outlets. Mepa has set no safeguards to prevent this from happening. Should he wish, the developer may do away with the car park completely and replace it entirely with commercial space.

Given that the area is to be flooded with parking space at Ghar-id-Dud, Town Square, Tigné and most likely the Pjazzetta, apart from the existing High Street car park, the viability of a 1,000 space car park is doubtful.

My concern with the CPPS money is that public funds are to be given for a project which, far from easing Sliema's traffic problems, will exacerbate them.

If there are doubts about the viability of the project it should be scaled down or scrapped. CPPS funds should not be wasted on lame ducks or given away to a developer to build a shopping mall on public land. If, on the other hand, Mepa is so sure of the car park's success, would not a soft loan have been a better idea to tide it over the difficult months?

CPPS funds would be far better used improving local public transport rather than attracting more traffic into Sliema, e.g. purchasing the pre-election promise that was an electric circular bus instead of that diesel-belching monster inflicted on the Sliema local council.

Sylvana Debono's letter does nothing to dispel the feeling that the area is about to be raped, indeed the vague reply gives the impression that Mepa is quite content to let things take their course.