The Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday clarified that the Balluta Square was never earmarked for a car park, as claimed by residents.

The residents were opposing an idea, floated by the local council of St Julians, to have a car park below Balluta's square.

Alexander Pace Gouder, from the Balluta Residents' Association, said the Balluta area was one of three St Julians sites earmarked in the planning authority's local plan for the construction of car parks.

However, Mepa said the relevant plans only contained a measure to protect the square as a public space. It did earmark three strategic car parks in the St Julians area: Pender Place, Anġlu Mikiel Borg Street and within zone A of the Villa Rosa site.

Controversy erupted over the past few days after the local council of St Julians pressed ahead with plans for the car park, meeting opposition by the Balluta Residents' Association. But in an emergency meeting on Monday, the councillors decided to drop the project.

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