Spanish MEP pledges support to Qui-Si-Sana residents

A petition signed by over 600 people objecting to the proposed development at Qui-Si-Sana has been delivered to the president of the European Parliament's Petitions Committee Marcin Libicki.

The petition was handed over by Arnold Cassola, secretary general of the European Green Party and Alternattiva Demokratika's spokesman on EU affairs.

Prof. Cassola noted that Qui-Si-Sana was one of the few open spaces in Sliema. The gardens there serve as a much needed lung for a town that, in the course of the last 35 years, has been tremendously overbuilt, he added.

"The projected underground car park and commercial areas would have a tremendous negative impact on the adjacent residential area and the coastline.

"In view of the lack of proper consultation on the part of the government, Qui-Si-Sana residents are forced to appeal to the EU authorities in order to safeguard their quality of life," Prof. Cassola said.

Spanish Green MEP David Hammerstein said when asked to comment on the proposed development that Europe must defend cities and reject the destruction of the natural and cultural legacy.

Mr Hammerstein, who was present for the presentation of the petition, added: "I will closely follow the course of the proceedings regarding this petition in order to ensure that the Qui-Si-Sana residents and all those who enjoy this open space surrounded by a concrete jungle get a fair hearing".