FAA objects to proposed Portomaso extension

Albert Attard

Nov 10th 2008, 21:21

The area is already suffocated with apartments...turn this only left open space in the paceville area into a recreation area with trees (tamarisk), pathways and benches or just leave it as it is. In any decent European town one finds some kind of retreat from the mayhem of traffic and fumes as the area is very well known for. St. Julian’s and the localities around have no such areas when one considers the percentage of land taken up by buildings…. and now huge buildings with no gardens. About time to rehabilitate and plan such parks – Balluta Valley, Wied Ghomor and this tiny bit of open coast come to mind. Parks please not more apartments if we are talking about decent attractive and livable towns.

Angelo Xerri

Nov 10th 2008, 18:07

Go ahead cover these beautiful islands with concrete and see where it will get you in the future, or this is another way to stop hunting on these islands, because at this construction and building rate no bird in his right mind will stop on these shores. Some people already got the message and left, many more are seriously thinking about leaving. This government either has no idea about the invironment or simply dont care, only think about filling their pockets. Environment to this government is only in their preaching nothing else, how many times during election times you hear them saying protecting the invironment and nothing has been done. No Action is the order of the day.

Mary Fisher

Nov 10th 2008, 18:05

I completely agree with the correspondents who are against this project. Why have more buildings? The same property which was available 3 years ago is still on the market. Malta is completely wrecked with buidings which are not inhabited. B'Kara bypass and Mdina rd. Zebbug look like the aftermath of a civil war and the outline of Malta is just a mass of cranes. MEPA should say NO from the outset of an application and not accept any submissions which make the workers at MEPA waste precious time. I ma sure that MEPA and the Prime Minister have better things to do.

M. Tabone

Nov 10th 2008, 15:44

It is inconceivable that an area earmarked as an ecological zone in the EIA ( since it harbours important plant communities) done years ago for Portomaso project will be turned into apartments. MEPA should not even consider this application and Portomaso administration should be ashamed for submitting this application for development. Are they not happy that almost all the coast has been taken and open spaces in the area vanished!

A C Camilleri

Nov 10th 2008, 14:45

What difference is this going to make? Its just another nail in the coffin for the area. One more, at this point will not make a difference. If Portomaso is projected to be ' the place to be', think again. Its just another slum.

c galea

Nov 10th 2008, 13:15

This happens often with large scale developments.
First they start by buying cheap land with a view in an odz area (eg hondoq), then they apply for a permit and then when they finish their projects, they apply to amend their plans ( and this always means to enlarge not to decrease) or apply for an extension.
In the end, all that happens is, they ruin a beautiful area and get RICHER with the excuse that they are going to create work
This has already happened in Gozo such as the Chambray project, etc. Now there is the Ramla, Ta' Cenc and Hondoq projects as well.
As far as the Hondoq project is concerned, I know for sure that there is no Mepa regulation that stops the developer from applying for an extension or amendment .
That is why these large controversial projects (which have a lot of people against them) should not even be considered let alone approved.
We are hoping that with the MEPA reform, it won't be easier for the big developers to get their way at the expense of us Joe Citizen.
Well done FAA we are behind you

J.A. AGIUS

Nov 10th 2008, 12:44

Well done FAA. What has stopped MEPA from throwing the proposed extension immediately out of the window? Why is it that it has to be an NGO to stand up to the big developers and defend the citizens' rights?

mario camilleri

Nov 10th 2008, 12:44

@ Joseph Micallef
While I am in support of FAA, please note that only an application has been submitted with MEPA and no decision has been taken. Prim Minister Gonzi always puts national interest first.

C. Weitze

Nov 10th 2008, 11:36

There are countless empty or half finished properties all over the island - the papers are bursting with property offers.

Certain development areas look like ghost towns, since they have never been finished in the eighteen years I have been living on this island.

Malta doesn't need more developments, but should fill up the places that already exist.

Joseph Micallef

Nov 10th 2008, 11:04

FAA keep it up. When is MEPA (and the Prime Minsiter since he is assuming responsibility of MEPA) going to start putting National interests first?

Simon Merceica

Nov 10th 2008, 10:38

It seems that greed knows no bounds, like all the other mid to large developments on this Island they start off wanting a bit and are not happy till they've squeezed the place dry. Long suffering Sliema and St.Julians have had enough. We can tell how happy those have moved in so far are just by looking at the amount of re-sales .All this within of a year or two of buying,and no, it's not all speculators selling,for the most part it's those who sold a dream which failed to materialise.

And by the way, the coastline belongs to everybody and we want it back.