Modifications to plans in Midi project of concern - Din l-Art Helwa
Din l-Art Helwa has expressed concern about the modifications to plans in the MIDI project which envisage further construction of high rise blocks.
The organisation said that this was being done without any public consultation and without communicating clearly the results of the EIA process, measures which should ascertain proper consideration for the inhabitants of the surrounding neighbourhood.
The concern rose from the fact that there was an absence of a declared policy by Mepa regarding high rise development.
Din l-Art Helwa said that the density of buildings within the Tigne and Qui-si-sana peninsula, as well as many parts of Sliema, had already reached critical proportions so that the quality of life of the inhabitants was being profoundly degraded with no appropriate infrastructural provision to reduce pollution and traffic and no planning effort to protect the last of their open spaces.
The additional development being proposed to this already densely built up area, backed by the bulky construction mass created by the Fort Cambridge buildings and the eventual proposed Town Square, would continue to add to the discordant and negative impact they already had on the unique vista of the world heritage city of Valletta and its harmonious skyline.
"This is already close to being totally obscured from many parts of Sliema and is severely compromised from the Three Cities," it said.
Din l-Art Helwa reiterated its position on the existing so-called 'Floor Area Ratio' policy which gave scope to abuse and misinterpretation and which did not provide for appropriate development as could be seen by the reduced visibility and quality of light in many of Sliema's streets.
"Although Mepa had presented a draft policy to cabinet back in 2006 which addressed many of the existing problems, it appears that there is a lack of political will to approve these changes.
"Government is, therefore, strongly urged to adopt these reforms immediately and, until it has done so, to freeze all developments pending the Structure Plan review and to establish a stringent policy on density and high-rise construction without further ado," Din l-Art Helwa said.
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31 Comments
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Mrs Carmen Borg
Jun 24th 2011, 23:51
I now look at photos of Sliema and want to spew. From so far away in Australia there is nothing that I can do, except to condem the Sliema Local Council, MEPA and the Sliemizi for letting this happen. I am sure all ex-patriate Sliemizi who retained their Maltese citizenship would love to be able to vote in the next elections and vote these mindless morons out. Sliema has been totally ruined. SHAME SHAME SHAME.
Mr david debattista
Jun 24th 2011, 20:22
@ Jon Vercellono, My dear fellow, you must try again ! Environmental issues have nothing to do with the individuals political orientation. It should be a national concern, the people, each and everyone of us!
Steve Zammit
Jun 24th 2011, 18:36
Shame on you Midi for turning that part of Sliema into one ugly overpopulated and overbuilt CONCRETE Jungle
Looking at Tigne from Valletta is like looking at match boxes built on each other like lego bricks, enough is enough
Stop the madness and save us a space of fresh air!!
Mr J Galea
Jun 24th 2011, 18:31
MEPA tell the big FAT CAT developers Enough is Enough before Sliema becomes one big OVERHYPED SLUM.
Steve Zammit
Jun 24th 2011, 18:34
It already is ''one big OVERhyped slum''!...now its going to become ''one big OVER OVER hyped slum!!''
Paul Borg
Jun 24th 2011, 18:16
If Din l-Art helwa is so concerned, what is it doing about it? I read the article about the public meeting:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110624/local/Public-must-have-more-say-on-large-projects-Sliema-residents.372195
Din l-Art helwa, it was not mentioned, if it is so concerned why didn't it take part or even help organise the people like the other groups?
I notice Din l-Art helwa they are making a lot of statements these days, but are they just to impress? It is very easy to sit behind a computer and run off impressive press releases like pastizzi - but what they really doing, as me, I dont read about them facing developers at Mepa or helping the public like the other NGOs.
Mr James Tyrrell
Jun 25th 2011, 03:27
Exactly what I would like to know Paul. Din l-Art Helwa were invited to the meeting but didn't bother going. Why would they fail to attend if they care so much? Don't get me wrong, Din l-Art Helwa do a lot of good work but it seems that now more and more they are writing about battles rather than taking part in those battles. The actual frontline work is left to smaller NGO's like FAA who are certainly not afraid to take the developers and the Government on. Din l-Art Helwa must grasp the fact that not only do they need to talk the talk, they need to walk the walk!
Marcel Mifsud
Jun 24th 2011, 17:13
May I suggest a change of name from Tigne to Manhattan or the maybe the Grand Canyon with the only difference that there is absolutely no planning for this area unlike Manhattan and lacks any form of beauty unlike what nature managed to create at the Grand Canyon.
Mr david debattista
Jun 24th 2011, 16:05
@ Mr Tony Gatt Ha Ha Ha Funny boy !!!!!!
Jon Vercellono
Jun 24th 2011, 14:32
To put things into perspective, actually, by their very short sightedness - which is being repeated to this day - the politically immature residents of Sliema have allowed these aberrations to occur. I hope for their sake that they finally come to the realisation that their supposed political affiliations which guarantee a better life for them are really pipe dreams. They voted them in; and by not saying anything or protesting until it was too late have set a bad example and precedent for builders and developers to follow in the rest of the country. Please do not play games with politics.
Mr Tony Gatt
Jun 24th 2011, 13:54
Can we include the Ta' Monita apartments in Marsascala? The brochure makes them look great- no resemblance to reality whatsoever.
j brincat
Jun 24th 2011, 13:50
I bet one euro cent that MEPA would eventually find a means to give the green light to the proposal by MIDI.
Remember that the election is less than 2 years from now.
(jb)
Jon Vercellono
Jun 24th 2011, 15:02
Actually my dissertation at Uni was about Sliema - its in the library. Check it out.
Mr julian caruana
Jun 24th 2011, 13:30
haha
i bet all moaners writing comments do not live in this area and have no clue what they are talking about.
loosing money?? going down in value??? call midi slaes office and find out for yourself what the availibilty is at tigne point....
sour grapes
Steve Zammit
Jun 24th 2011, 18:38
Beside the point...Sliema is a concrete jungle and there is enough development. The fact that availabilty is snatched quickly doesn't in any way justify that the project is right or that more should already be built!
Mr Joe Borg
Jun 24th 2011, 13:13
I was not against the project, but the architecture sucks.
Blocks of concreate with holes in them. They look like bee hives.
Future slum area.
Mr david debattista
Jun 24th 2011, 13:05
All Gozitans please take note of what is happening in Malta, and how the people feel. We are talking about SLIEMA here.
Jon Vercellono
Jun 24th 2011, 15:33
I realise you may not want to reveal your political affiliation or where you're from; however, if you're from Sliema or St. Julian's, you bear a lot of responsibility for the state of things in Sliema and St Julians by blindly voting without thinking about the issues and who may serve you better.
Ms Maria Abela
Jun 24th 2011, 12:30
We have been betrayed by this gov ernment. They destroyed Sliema and st Julians and are continuing to make life a misery for the remaining residents.Shame on whoever is responsible for the slums they have created. Do not continue to advertize Malta by using photographs from the 1960s.Most of the blocks of flats are empty. If rates on each property were to be introduced then people would think twice before building these awful flats for investment.They will never make money from them as flats are losing their value as they have done on the costas in Spain,particularly these pokey places which are being built.A disgraceful government which has allowed this aberation to happen.
PM Camilleri
Jun 24th 2011, 11:38
A country gone mad. I wonder who is in control, the govt or the developers?
Greta Rapinett
Jun 24th 2011, 13:00
Developers fund the political parties - money talks - therefore, to heck with righteousness - its a developer world (country).
But wait for election time - you'll get the house visits, with the pathetic head-nodding, and assurances of flowery things to come.
Victor Rodenas
Jun 24th 2011, 11:34
`Without public consultation`,.....`no political will`,.........I think I`ve heard that before.......people deserve better.
A. Attard
Jun 24th 2011, 11:17
absolutely disgusting...and the view of tigne point from valletta...that is just another photo to be included in one of the chapters of the book on malta entitled "Malta Blunders!".........
Anthony Schembri adami
Jun 24th 2011, 12:09
SHAME! This eyesore will be repeated at Manoel Island and the too narrow creek under the bridge will be still narrower!!
Mr John Vella
Jun 24th 2011, 13:01
well said Mr Attard. Watching it from Valletta the place is revolting. The site was picturesque before Midi took over. Remember the film "The count of Monte Cristo"? There is a part of the film taken on Tigne Point, watch it and you will see the difference. Kif ma jisthux!
Mr julian caruana
Jun 24th 2011, 11:16
@ Mr.Attard,
says who? last update on avaialibility from Midi there where only 4 apartments left to sell. So before putting pen to paper get your facts right please.
Adrian Cachia
Jun 24th 2011, 12:21
possibili li ma ghajjejtx issaqsi dawk il-mistoqsijiet?
possibli li ghadek ma idejjaqtx issaqsi?
possibli li ghadek ma qtajtx qalbek u qed tittama li dawn l-affarijiet jinbidlu?
Mr david debattista
Jun 24th 2011, 13:12
Mr Julian Caruana
how about having a realistic view of Malta in general, especially Sliema . I would not live there for free !!!!!!!!!! Gozitans please take note, protect our beautiful island from what has happened in Malta . Think of your own children .
Mr Tony Gatt
Jun 24th 2011, 13:52
They do say there's one born every minute!
Mr R ferriggi
Jun 24th 2011, 11:12
to add to mr Attard,
possibli li min qed imexxi il pajjiz mhux jaghti kas li din il furia tal bini hawn malta se twassal al dizastru??
possibli li dawn lammonti ta bini ta nofs kedda m'humiex jinkwetaw lil aworitajiet??
possibli mhumiex se jaghmlu xi haga fuq il bini GDID imma sub standard li tela fdawn lahhar snin??
possibli li se jibqghu jaghtu il permessi minghajr ma ahna se jkollna strategija fit tul ta xse jigri fuq 10/15/20 sena ohra??
ovvjament,..,,,,,,,,, l'aqwa li sa 2/5/ 10 snin ohna ikunu irtiraw mil politika u barra bid daqq...............
joe attard
Jun 24th 2011, 10:52
The point (excuse the pun) is that there is No business case for further investment in the area. There is no need for further office space or domestic residences in the area in particular and the country in general. Whoever is loaning the money or investing in these building is in for a great loss. If we need the building industry as a major contributor in our GDP we must find other , more useful , buildings to build or renovate spread a little better round the country.
Please choose the reason of your report below: