UPDATE 2: Fort Cambridge project approved, MLP demands explanation

(Adds MLP statement)

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has unanimously approved the Fort Cambridge development project after fresh plans were submitted by the developers.

Approval was given at a turbulent board meeting which kicked off on the wrong note when reporters discovered a press release announcing the approval even before the meeting had started.

The statement was found in one of the press packs picked up by the reporters.

The issue was raised during the meeting and the chairman Austin Walker, defended the board, saying that MEPA had also prepared a press release in case the project was rejected. Although people who live near Fort Cambridge asked to see it, he simply said "no" and refused to look into the matter before the board went ahead with the vote.

The controversial project involves the building of 20-storey apartment blocks on the site of the former Holiday Inn. The original plan was rejected last month and the developers presented a new plan explaining that although the apartment blocks would have 20 storeys, the height would total that of 16 storeys.

The discussion was a heated one with the developers' camp and that of neighbours shouting at each other across the room, particularly over the impact which the development will have on traffic in the area.

Neighbours argued that this project, along with Midi at Tigne' and another anticipated mega project in the area would massively overload the traffic grid, increase pollution and make life miserable. The developers defended themselves on the basis that the traffic impact would not be that great while MEPA officials took the view that the traffic problem needed to be addressed holistically and not in connection with this specific project.

The Labour Party this evening demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister and the chairman of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) over how the MEPA statement on the approval of the Fort Cambridge development project was distributed to journalists even before the board hearing on the project had started.

The MLP said this incident raised very serious questions on the operations of the authority and reduced public consultation to a farce. The incident and the attitude of the MEPA officials continued to undermine public confidence in the institution.