Amendment to development boundary at Iklin

I refer to the letter by Lino Busuttil (July 4) regarding the closing off of the development zones. Mr Busuttil refers to an amendment being made to the development boundary at Iklin.

The area which is being proposed for inclusion is compliant with the criteria as prepared by Cabinet. The configuration of one of the residential blocks is incomplete in that it has been curtailed by the development zone boundary. The extension will provide for a complete rectangular residential block.

Moreover, the change will, in the long term, provide for a road at the periphery of Iklin thereby relieving the traffic which currently passes through the residential centre of Iklin to reach the Birkirkara by-pass. If endorsed by Parliament, the change is being made subject to the relocation of the fireworks factory to a location more distant from residential areas.

A government elected by the people has the right and the duty to give policy direction to our country's institutions. The government forwarded a set of criteria to Mepa on which, in its view, decisions related to minor amendments to the development boundaries should be taken.