Matthew Xuereb
Mepa vote pleasantly surprises Santa Maria Estate residents
Santa Marija Estate residents were “pleasantly surprised” with the planning authority’s decision to turn down a proposed massive development in Għajn Żejtuna Valley, Mellieħa.
Contacted yesterday, a day after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority rejected the proposed development, residents’ association chairman Sammy Vella said he could not yet believe Mepa did not rubberstamp the proposal.
“We were taken by surprise because we never actually believed Mepa would vote against it. The new Mepa board has people who are conscious about the environment and the effect such developments have on the environment. We are pleased because we cannot possibly lose anymore of the precious green spaces we have left,” he said.
On Thursday, the Mepa board turned down an application for the building of 13 residential units on seven plots in the heart of Wied Għajn Żejtuna, a lush valley that still features a natural spring.
The board, through its decision, overturned a recommendation for approval made by the Planning Directorate mainly because the proposed development ran counter to a number of rural conservation policies.
The board deemed the project as being insensitive to the country’s natural heritage and could cause potential damage to the valley, which is an important water catchment area.
Mr Vella said the association had campaigned unstintingly since 2007, when the proposal was first filed, to raise awareness about the vulnerability of the valley. He said Mepa had received at least 90 objections to the proposed development, which residents believed was too dense for a residential area that was always meant to be a garden estate with a substantial amount of natural landscaping.
“The past three years were very tiring as we tried to stop the proposed unsustainable project that would have had irreparable effects on the valley, one of the few the country still has. We even commissioned an ecological survey on the valley and we are now in the process of restoring the valley, cleaning it and planning trees,” he said.
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Sammy Vella
Dec 18th 2010, 21:49
I naturally welcome and appreciate the comments made by Charles Buttigieg and many others who have hailed the outcome of our resistance to this application. I would also like to assure people like C.Camilleri that he will change his mind about our motivation when he learns that we have no intention of impeding anybody from developing his property. We simply expect everybody to adhere to sound environmental principles and to adhere to the original developmental philosophy of Santa Marija Estate as a garden estate with an emphasis on natural landscaping. We would also like to offer our children and their children the opportunity to enjoy the many treasures that Wied Ghajn Zejtuna has conserved for those that find time to explore and discover and cherish. A wise man once said that the environment does not belong to us but it has been entrusted in our care by our children and their children. Our appeal is that we should not betray that trust for 30 pieces of silver.
Charles, I’ll be taking up your offer very seriously. You can bring along as many friends as you like!
Charles J. Buttigieg
Dec 18th 2010, 18:55
@ c. Camilleri
Like Sammy Vella I too live at Santa Maria Estate yet I don’t condone the 60’s rape of Ghajn Zejtuna Valley. Turning our most luscious valley to a residential area was a mistake even though at that time the government was working hard to attract up market foreigners to settle in Malta. What was done can’t be undone but this does not mean that we have a good excuse to maximise the environmental damage. We are all in duty bound to protect and preserve what’s left.
Well done Sammy and the residents association for standing up to be counted and giving a good example to all. I don’t feel happy about my lack of open support to the campaign however I intend to make up for it by chipping in some voluntary work to give a good clean up to our valley, the Maltese valley. Just name the day Sam.
c. camilleri
Dec 18th 2010, 16:25
I am sure that Mr 'vella would not give a hoot to the environment if he were on the other side.
Have not the Santa Maria Estate residents spoiled the environment when they built their residents? Of course like others they now want to have the area free from further developments under the guise of environmental damage. They want to live in garden estate to the detriment of those landlords. Good luck to them.
Joseph Calleja
Dec 18th 2010, 15:13
@ Mr Sam Vella and the Santa Maria Estate residents, Maybe there is a Santa Clause out there after all. Is Mepa coming to their senses and realizing that Mepa is the primary means in protecting the environment? Finally something very positive to come out of Mepa. Also congratulations to Din l-Art Helwa , Astrid Vella and the Ngos for not giving up. Keep Malta and Mellieha green. This is good news for the Santa Maria Estate residents and for Mellieha in general. Merry Christmas
S. Grech
Dec 18th 2010, 11:48
In the case of Wied Sant’ Antnin in Marsascala, Mepa voted in favour of building a huge recycling plant that could process all the waste generated in Malta and Gozo. Thanks to the pressure by the Committee against the Sant’Antnin recycling plant up to now is licensed to take 71 tones per annum. Like Wied Għajn Żejtuna in Mellieha, Wied Sant’ Antnin is protected and blessed with spring water and aquifer running underneath the plant feeding at ‘tal-Maghluq’ site. A natural reserve protected by Natura 2000 site Directive. Nonetheless Mepa gave the full permit amidst the gross irregularities based on flawed reports and a vitiated process. I congratulate the people of Santa Maria Estate for putting up a fight. Likewise the people of Marsascala are still fighting after five years, this unjust cause before the Mepa Appeals Board and in front of the Law Courts even though the plant is now fully operational.
l fenech
Dec 18th 2010, 10:32
MEPA you did not give a pleasant surprise to all 2 storey streets, suffering 5 storey buildings blocking view and air and the daily sunshine. Tal-misthija.
C A Camilleri
Dec 18th 2010, 09:22
This is finally some good news. Protect the little that is left. Way forward.