Opposition to Balluta car park plan grows
The character of Balluta Square would be spoiled if a proposal by the St Julians council for an underground car park went ahead, according to Din l-Art Ħelwa, the heritage trust.
"The square should remain intact... none of its charming features should be removed nor any trees cut down to make way for the construction of an underground parking lot," the NGO stressed.
It insisted that a shelter and a row of buses parked on this stretch of the road would create an unacceptable eyesore for residents and other pedestrians enjoying the charming ambience of the square.
The proposed bus parking sites should be located away from the historic site.
DLĦ was reacting to the proposal for an electric bus terminus and underground car park submitted by the St Julians council, which has provoked heated opposition from concerned residents.
The Labour Party has also warned the square would be under threat if the planning authority approved the application to develop a "green urban transport terminal".
Council mayor Peter Bonello has tried to allay fears by saying the official public consultation had not started and he guaranteed this would happen at the "appropriate time".
Under the proposal, the electric bus terminus would partly replace the existing public toilets. A covered shelter would stretch up the road that divides the square from the valley. It is proposed that this long shelter would have rows of solar panels installed on the roof and buses parked underneath.
Balluta Square and several nearby buildings, including the historic Balluta Buildings and Villa Casa Torregiani on either side, have been scheduled by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. This protection extended to the square itself, with its old kiosk, monument and fountain, DLĦ said.
Meanwhile, 13 residents and shop owners yesterday sent a letter to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressing concern about the "persistent rumours" that the old oak trees in Balluta Square had been "declared sick and condemned to be uprooted".
They claimed the real reason for the trees' removal was to make way for the underground car park, which would destabilise the square and risk harming the Balluta Buildings.
"We would appreciate if you can put our minds at rest that the people of St Julians will be allowed to retain such an important open space with its mature local trees. We remind you of the importance of not destroying existing shade trees in the area, which is frequented by all, including the elderly, and families with small children."
The letter was coped to Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino and to the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Chris Said.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
9 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Ray Sultana
Nov 1st 2009, 15:02
Why is it that we cannot get anything right in this country? What is this obsession with the uglification of our country? Balluta Square is one of the most charming places in the St.Julians/Sliema/Gzira area, and here come the mayor with a plan to destroy it. Shame!
anna spiteri
Oct 31st 2009, 16:47
it would be a great pity to destroy ballutta square .l have been living at st julians for almost thirthy years and mostly everyday l go there to enjoy the surroundings. even in winter it is a beauty so lets keep it that way.
A. Zahra
Oct 31st 2009, 16:44
I wonder whether the recently built hotel overlooking Ballutta has any thing to do with this project. I wonder....
Alexander Pace Gouder
Oct 31st 2009, 15:46
The Photo with this TO THE POINT ARTICLE shows the natural beauty of our SQUARE. The main AIM for the SAVE BALLUTA SQUARE GROUP consisting of 13 Balluta residents and shop owners (backed by over 90% of Balluta Residents) is one and only A look on Goggle advertising, click BALLUTA BAY and SQUARE, shows both by Locals and Tourists, that all the articles mention the NATURAL BEAUTY OF THIS SQUARE AND SURROUNDINGS. WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED IF IT DOES MATERIALISE? I take this opportunity and i am more then positive and this is the view of all the group members to repeat again :"THAT this GROUP has been formed only to safeguard the Square from being RUINED and there is nothing personal against The Mayor and all the Councillers of The St.Julians Council.
joanne pace
Oct 31st 2009, 15:28
we should all buy GREEN CARS, please note mr mayor,and use cars less and not encourage the use of cars,with the excuse that one cars for the residents of balluta. TAKE YOUR CAR PARK TO LUXOL OR TIGULLIO. when is the mayor going to shed light on his hidden plans and tell us residents if we want a car park in balluta, and also a green bus terminus. ONE WOULD THINK WE WOULD HAVE A MAYOR LIKE THE MAYOR OF LIJA STOPPING THE BUILDING OF FLATS IN HIS SQUARE, OUR MAYOR DOES THEOPPOSITE, TRYING TO MAKE ST JULIANS AND BALLUTA UGLY, BUT PLEASE DONT TOUCH THE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES, NEVER MIND THE RESIDENTS. RESISTENCE IS GROWING NOT WANING, WE WILL NOT LET ANYONE TOUCH BALLUTA AND ITS VALLEY
Josette DeGabriele
Oct 31st 2009, 12:20
This is the third comment I am posting about the proposed destruction of Balluta Square and I would encourage all concerned parties to continue to voice your opposition to any type of alteration to this most precious and increasingly rare style of piazza. We cannot afford to let the issue rest. There is not much left of Sliema or St. Juliens which remains intact. Let us not destroy what remains because of short sighted politicians and councilors looking for yet another band-aid solution. HANDS OFF BALUTTA SQUARE AND ITS SURROUNDS!!!
Deal with the traffic and congestion problems at the heart of the problem, in the restaurant precinct. To ease traffic congestion along the waterfront, encourage drivers to use Regional Road and create ample parking near the Paceville Regional Road exit. Leave the peace of Balutta Square to the residents, the elderly, the families and our overseas guests. Let Balutta Bay remain a much loved landmark for all to enjoy. The Square, Balutta Building and Villa Torregiani are supposedly protected. Let it remain this way. Above all, to those of you who care, KEEP UP THE FIGHT!!
D Delia
Oct 31st 2009, 12:10
To ct busuttil
Your suggestion is worth considering. Gnien Indipendenza has a bigger footprint and eleminates the cost of excavation.
Peter Bonnici
Oct 31st 2009, 12:05
Are we trying to put people off using their cars, or are we trying to make it more attractive to drive than to walk? If parking is a problem, either stay away, or be prepared to walk. Why set up a green bus station when at the same time you're inviting people to use their cars? Where's the green in all of this?
ct busuttil
Oct 31st 2009, 10:19
Why not collaborate with Sliema and create underground facilities below Gnien Indipendenza, and bring the Garden up to road level, more or less.