North Harbour Local Plan worries Qui-Si-Sana residents

Qui-Si-Sana residents are astounded that despite a reassurance by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi that development in the area would not include any commercial activity, the recently approved North Harbour Local Plan allows the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to consider the development of appropriate tourist-related facilities.

Addressing a meeting last night, Qui-Si-Sana Residents' Association president Simon Camilleri read out an e-mail sent by Dr Gonzi on Monday saying the development would be devoid of any commercial activity.

Residents agreed that the association's council should write an open letter to Dr Gonzi thanking him for his reassurance and asking for the decision on the development to be put on hold until the Tigné and Town Square projects are finished and operations commence.

The association questioned the viability of the controversial car park, proposed for Qui-Si-Sana, since the decision to built it was based on data collected some 10 years ago, which was described as "obsolete".

Dr Camilleri explained that the number of parking spaces that would be created by the Tigné and Town Square projects - about 3,500 - had not been envisaged when the original Qui-Si-Sana development brief was published in 1999.

Once the other two projects become operational, an assessment of how many other parking spots were needed should be carried out so that the proposed Qui-Si-Sana car park would be built according to the actual needs.

Despite Dr Gonzi's assurance, the residents expressed scepticism that no changes will be introduced in the future, allowing the developer to build commercial establishments, especially since they had been previously told that the car park would not be viable unless commercial establishments were allowed.

Sliema councillor Martin Debono said that if, eventually, the developer did apply for a change of plan, Mepa would have to abide by the local plan which allows tourist-related establishments.

However, Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo pointed out that a change of use would require parliamentary approval because the development would take place on government land. He said the government should be asked to include a condition in the development brief not allowing a change of use of the premises.

When a resident said the car park's administration should be left in the hands of the local council, mayor Marina Arrigo said this had never been discussed by the council.

Astrid Vella, coordinator of environment lobby Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, urged Sliema residents to join forces and fight together, forming a Sliema Residents Association.