Sliema Residents' Association

Robert Arrigo's letter to the press a fortnight ago, calling for a moratorium on more construction in over-developed areas like Sliema, was a courageous suggestion, which was however totally undermined by the refusal of his wife (the Sliema mayor) and other Nationalist Party councillors to endorse it in a council vote proposed by AD and Labour councillors.

We feel that the mayor's proposal to meet the prime minister was an empty gesture, and likely to remain just that. Will the prime minister not correctly state that decisions on development are in MEPA's hands?

And will MEPA not, in turn, state that it can only follow the approved Local Plan? But, as is blatantly evident, instead of improving the situation in Sliema as has been claimed, the Local Plan actually helps speed up Sliema's destruction.

The heights set out in the Local Plan are supposed to echo the 'predominant height' on each block, in reality most inland blocks are now allowed to reach four, five and six floors, even where only three out of ten houses go higher than two floors, as may be seen in many narrow streets.

These changes in the Local Plans were carried out without adequate public consultation, as the plan shown at the time did not indicate the added height and none of the public's submissions request the raising of the building heights; quite the opposite in fact. This indicates that the Sliema Local Plan is in violation of the EU Directive on public consultation, as it was ratified some days after this came into force locally.

MEPA will no doubt claim that its one session held years ago constituted full consultation. The Ombusdman's report on the Mellieha Local Plan, as well as MEPA's Auditor, have both been critical of the lack of real consultation on the Local Plans.

Furthermore, on the subject of lack of public consultation in Malta, the EU Infringements Unit has clearly stated that it is not enough to carry out the minimum possible to satisfy the letter of the law, while failing to respect the spirit of the law.

Although MEPA's bible, the Structure Plan, indicates that the granting of permits should take into consideration the surrounding context, and "maintain the good visual integrity of the area in which it is located", requests for MEPA to judge applications in the light of neighbouring over-development has been met with the curt reply that "MEPA can only judge each case on its own merit".

Thus Tigné residents are going to be choked by the exhaust fumes of approximately 3,000 more residents' cars, not to mention the traffic of thousands more cars generated by additional commercial activity in spite of the fact that Sliema already has a surfeit of shops and offices. All along, Sliema residents are having their physical and mental health undermined by 13 hours a day of dust, unbearable noise and fumes. Not to mention the constant worry of dangers construction brings and the wholesale destruction of Sliema's distinctive architecture and character.

Sliema residents cannot be fooled any longer. It is about time Sliema council finally begins to take decisive action for the good of the people they should be representing, unless the derision poured on public suggestions at the last meeting is typical of their attitude towards Sliema residents.

Until Mr Arrigo and the Nationalist councillors decide to challenge the Local Plans by every means at their disposal, their words will remain no more than hollow pre-election manoeuvres, also because a moratorium on new construction is a rather far-fetched solution which can only be passed by parliament.

A more workable solution, and one that is also fairer to all parties, might be an annual limit on the number and type of new units to be permitted in Sliema and similar areas. We invite all Sliema residents who feel strongly about this matter to contact us by e-mail at sliemaresidents@gmail.com to express any views or make suggestions.