Residents 'expect project to be dropped'

Balluta residents are demanding that their St Julians local council listens to their united objections to the proposed underground car park in the square and spare it from development.

More than 350 residents turned up for a public consultation meeting on the project last Friday and made it clear they opposed the nine-storey car park proposed for beneath Balluta square.

"Although the meeting was uncharacteristically rowdy for people like us, who are usually quiet, it was positive since now it is clear to the council that we will not accept the car park," said Alexander Pace Gouder from the Balluta Residents' Association.

He said the association was determined to do what it takes to ensure residents' objections would be heeded.

The Balluta area is one of three St Julians sites earmarked in the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's local plan for the construction of car parks.

When mayor Peter Bonello unveiled the car park proposal last week he explained that the council approved it because it was the most "doable" of the sites.

He has warned that if the car park does not materialise, it would prove harder to introduce a residents' parking scheme as this needs to be linked to the provision of parking spaces for visitors.

During Friday's meeting, held at Le Meridien Hotel overlooking the square, residents argued that building a car park would only serve to draw more cars and harmful pollution to the area.

Astrid Vella, from the environmental organisation Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, expressed concern over the damaging effects excavations could have on Balluta Buildings, a scheduled property.

Council architect Stephen Farrugia said the car park would be confined to the top part of the square. He said 90 per cent of the square would remain intact while the affected 10 per cent would touch paving laid about four years ago, which had no historical relevance.

As residents unanimously voiced their disapproval of the project, they pointed out that it was the duty of the local council to heed their collective will. For this reason, Mr Pace Gouder said, residents were expecting the project to be dropped.

He added that, earlier this month, Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino had written a letter to the association assuring it that the government was in no way involved in the proposed car park.

"I want to stress that the association, backed by over 300 residents, is one hundred per cent against the car park. This is not a political stand and absolutely nothing personal against the current local councillors or mayor. For us residents, Balluta square is a jewel... We are committed to save it," he said.