Marsascala residents resist plans for more apartments

Marsascala residents are rallying against a development application to build additional apartments in the site formerly known as the Etvan Hotel Gardens.

The developers were awaiting the green light from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to build 29 apartments to add to the over 3,000 apartments for sale in Marsascala alone, the residents said. A decision on the development is expected on Tuesday.

The residents said the developers failed to address public safety, referring to an elevated public roof garden littered with shafts, machinery and plumbing serving the apartments.

They said that when they consulted the Occupational Health and Safety Authority it said it did not have any jurisdiction over private issues.

With regard to accessibility, the residents complained that only one entrance was proposed off Nigel Dennis Street.

The National Commission for Persons with Disability had already objected to this because it was too steep. The residents said the local council had yet to take a stand on the matter. The case was postponed earlier this year when the Development Control Commission asked the developers to present fresh plans to tackle issues raised during a meeting.

Residents had strongly objected to the proposed development, claiming the site was one of the last few remaining public open spaces in the locality and designated as a green area.

A petition signed by over 500 signatures had also been presented.