Reasons to reject Sliema complex

With reference to the news item Plans For New Residential Complex In Sliema (March 16), I am pleased to announce that both Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party and the Sliema local council have respectively written to Mepa to object against the proposed development at Villa Bonici (PA 6239/08).

This development, which is split into about 23 blocks of apartments, some rising as high as 12 floors, shall take place on one of Sliema's last remaining green lungs in an already congested area. There are major concerns about its effect on the quality of life of Sliema residents, who hoped that this place would be used as an open space which can enhance community life, and not overdevelopment which will further add to problems such as pollution and traffic congestion.

Any development of such a massive scale should involve an Environment Impact Assessment, a Social Impact Assessment and a Traffic Impact Assessment.

In all cases, proper scientific and social-scientific methodologies should be carried out, such as comprehensive sociological surveys. Hence, one hopes that Mepa does not resort to the half-baked impact assessments carried out for another massive case of overdevelopment in Sliema, namely Fort Cambridge.

It is pertinent to note that according to Sliema's local plan, development in the Villa Bonici area requires a development brief, which does not yet exist. In itself, this should result in Mepa's immediate refusal of the proposed development.