Plans for new residential complex in Sliema

J Oatmon

Mar 17th 2009, 07:46

@ Karen Zammit Manduca
"Wouldn't it have been far more beneficial and healthier for the area if this land were purchased by Government to be turned into a large park in this already hopelessly over-developed area?"

- Sounds great, but in reality what will happen is 'the park' will become a 'no go area' and a safe haven for crime and drug dealing, and with illegal immigrants claiming it for their own, and living there and dumping their trash there, most locals will then have to steer clear of the place to avoid intimidation anyway.

Anthony Magri

Mar 16th 2009, 20:47

Reference villa Bonici or what remains of it. Quote ""now consists of fields and abandoned buildings, which the application says will be demolished to build a residential complex.".
It is wrong to say that on the site there are abandoned buildings. Only the ex Villa Bonici dwelling, opening on Manwel Dimech street, ex Sliema Secondary school that was used by Pace Loporto for storing, is empty now.
The villa ought to be changed into a public garden with entrance from Parisiot Stree and St. Agatha street. The later entrance is monumental and ought to be preserved.There is also a war time shelter within the villa just as one enters from Saint Agatha street that could be part of the gardens for people to see.
The only remaining breathing space in Sliema is to be destroyed while it ought to be preserved and enjoyed by everybody. Saint Anne square was reverted to the public thanks to Perit G. Pullicino. Now Villa Bonnici ought to attract the attention of perit G. Pullicino. The Villa is quite more important to be developed for all the Sliemisi to enjoy as a a restful place, a public garden. just like San Anthon or Buskett

C. Busuttil

Mar 16th 2009, 16:53

The destruction of Sliema continues, when we will be given some respite from all the construction of useless buildings that remain half occupied. The number of vacant houses in Sliema is very high and the population has been in decline for the last 4 decades. If this trend continues Sliema will become a ghost city since over 70% of the population is over 50 years. The younger generation has been moving out since it cannot afford to buy the new appartments. Sliema needs urgently new blood since its dying a slow death, these new constructions will not solve the problem. Besides most of the appartments are an eyesore that have taken place of the elegant town houses which once had made Sliema the most beautiful place in Malta.

Karen Zammit Manduca

Mar 16th 2009, 16:28

I've just been to the MEPA development applications site to check the listing of this application and noticed that the address was given as "Site at" ensuring that anybody who was not 100% familiar with the area would not realise exactly where is being referred to. This is a common occurrence and is very unfair to the public whose right it is to have correct information of potential development on the site.
I think it is about time that MEPA set up a policy to refuse applications that have not got a full proper address as I have often come across applications for "Site at Swieqi" for example. I don't think it is in MEPA's interest for people to be turning up every week to verify where these properties are and people don't have this kind of time to waste either, although the Aarhus Convention gives citizens the right for complete information!
Could it have been intentional for the name Villa Bonici to have been omitted from the address in order to give less time for potential objectors to study the brief and submit objections, if any?

Marion Farrugia-Silvester

Mar 16th 2009, 16:01

Huge shame. I will be very sorry to see this space gone completely; as no doubt,so will the residents whose verandhas, to the right of the photograph, overlook these gardens. At one time, you could see as far as Valletta, and all of Sliema Creek. Huge breath of fresh air, pleasurable views. I remember it well, including the open air cinema. Many happy hours were spent playing here. Already a lot of the view has been obstructed due to high rise buildings. To block all the view will certainly be a great loss. Alfred di Petri insisted."There is no logical reason for this development to be objected to or rejected," well what about the claustrophobic effect that these blocks are going to bring and add to this already dense and heavily congested area in Sliema? This last bit of greenery would have been better off developed as a park, which, due to it's prime location would give Sliema a much needed attraction and public open space regenerating the area, aesthetically and environmentally, much better then concrete blocks would, no matter how attractive the complex might sound and look on paper. As usual, profit first! Money speaks louder then good Sense!

Karen Zammit Manduca

Mar 16th 2009, 15:42

Wouldn't it have been far more beneficial and healthier for the area if this land were purchased by Government to be turned into a large park in this already hopelessly over-developed area?

M Pace

Mar 16th 2009, 15:23

More buildings?? Surely a landscaped park for the residents of Sliema and surrounds is what's needed here. An oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. How about people before profit for a change?

Charles DeMicoli

Mar 16th 2009, 15:18

Why doesn't the government purchase this land (the parcel/s of land could also be donated to the public by the owners and named in their honor, if they so like) and turn land into a park instead.

Paul Barrett

Mar 16th 2009, 12:39

Would it not be nice to have this area, in the middle of such a densely populated concentration area of buildings, cleaned up and turned into a public park.
Sadly not a hope - no money to be made in having a green area.

Martin Dingli

Mar 16th 2009, 12:37

What a shame, & shame on the people for not protesting this abortion of a plan.

Phil Humphries

Mar 16th 2009, 10:32

Mr di Petri said, "There is no logical reason for this development to be objected to or rejected," By this I imagine he means that Sliema has already been ruined by developers, so what harm will one more high-rise do.

L..Galea

Mar 16th 2009, 10:22

More matchbox concrete boxes jungle to continue the rape of our country.
And Gonezipn took MEPA under his control?

John Portelli

Mar 16th 2009, 10:20

Sure it's a pity. Sliema is one of the most congested places in Malta. I wonder where the planning is in Malta. What Sliema needs is open space not more building. This area should be purchased by the government and turn it into a park. We sure need more trees in Malta. It's beyond me why may Maltese think stone upon stone is beautiful. What we have today in Malta is a jungle of building blocks and little trees. Currently, there is enough housing stock available for many future generations and to build more is insane. I don't blame Mepa on this. It's really the government's responsibility to ensure that each town and area in Malta has a decent park where people can rest, relax and enjoy the environment.

Paul Borg

Mar 16th 2009, 10:09

Please inform all your friends who live in the area that they have up to today to object to MEPA on objakn@mepa.org.mt as it seems the site notice was put up by some garbage skips at the back of the site in an area where few people pass, instead of on Manwel Dimech Street or St Agatha Street, both main entrances to the site.

"objections are still received by MEPA up to today on objakn@mepa.org.mt so you are still in time to submit an objection"

Joe Camilleri

Mar 16th 2009, 09:51

What a pity.

Joe Gatt

Mar 16th 2009, 09:45

This is the last area in Sliema where a sizeable park can be created.

We need a green area, not more high rises!

a sultana

Mar 16th 2009, 09:43

why not build a bit more higher and leave more green open space?

Paul Borg

Mar 16th 2009, 09:37

It may be true that this project includes the brief,'s requirements does it really comply with the Sliema Local Plan:

4.2.8 In more dense coastal areas such as Sliema, Pieta`and Gzira the intensity of development is already identified as a major issue in the quality of settlements,where streets are congested and open space is limited. In these areas there are few remaining large sites for housing. Elsewhere in these congested areas, there is scope for the continuation of limited redevelopment and development of air spaces. With high levels of vacant housing stock there is considerable scope for a high proportion of dwelling element to be achieved through rehabilitation of the existing housing stock.

This area is one of Sliema's only lungs,with protected trees,fields that were cultivated until recently, and even Sliema's first open-air cinema.

It is true that property owners have rights but don't human rights to breath air that does not kill us come first? Sliema has about 3,000 empty housing units,do we need more empty flats and cars choking our roads and lungs?

objections are still received by MEPA up to today on objakn@mepa.org.mt so you are still in time to submit an objection