People 'betrayed' by Fort Cambridge project approval - FAA

The citizen was "betrayed" in the way the Fort Cambridge development was approved by MEPA, the NFO Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar charged this afternoon.

"In its insistence on approving the Fort Cambridge project before the completion of some of the most essential environment studies, MEPA and the government have betrayed the citizen," FAA said. Such key elements, it said, included a Traffic Impact Study.

"It was shocking to hear the new MEPA Chairman say that he found no problem in issuing a decision on the permit before the conclusion of the Traffic Impact Study, the most crucial part of the Environment Impact Assessment. This means that this unique chance to reduce toxic traffic emissions related to this project, vehicle exhaust which increases the incidence of asthma, cancer and heart disease in residents, is being cavalierly thrown away," FAA said.

It insisted MEPA should also have requested a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as repeatedly requested by the Sliema Local Council. In a totally residential area like Tigne, an SIA was essential to properly assess how increased traffic, dust, wind, vibrations, shading etc would affect residents.

The FAA also felt it was "irresponsible" of MEPA to authorise a high-rise project without any geological study to identify underlying caves and rock faults on a site which may be compromised and which may pose future risks.

"The insistence to approve this project in haste, when studies might have reduced the negative effects on residents, together with the astounding approval of the Mistra Towers and the non-rescinding of the Safi Supermarket permit all show that in spite of the countless promises on sustainability, the recent election has changed nothing; public consultation is a sham and it is still developers that rule this country with a weak political class who are not prepared to stand up to them," FAA said.