Mepa's rightful no to Balzan development

I would like to express my deep satisfaction and, I am sure, the satisfaction of the people of Balzan and the many who have our heritage and environment at heart, for the Mepa board's decision to turn down a development application for the erection of a number of apartments in the old centre of Balzan. The project involved the construction of 43 apartments and an underground parking area in Main Street, Balzan, which is scheduled as an urban conservation area.

A word of congratulation and thanks is due to Mepa for its refusal of the project, which would have compromised the character and heritage of the urban conservation area of this traditional village. My appreciation is also due to the Balzan local council for its efforts and timely intervention.

I hope that this "no" will be kept up even if this same "development" project will be cosmetically retouched. Developers who may be after increasing their profits rather than protecting our environment won't be disheartened from pushing their case further.

Keep up your stance, Mepa. You have already earned the respect of people of goodwill in the Three Villages, and your moral stature has grown considerably after your bold decisions regarding the surroundings of Villa Bologna in Attard, Transfiguration Avenue in Lija and Villa Macedonia in Balzan.