Residents protest against the over-development of St Julian's

Marc Caruana

Apr 14th 2012, 21:47

i don t live in st julians my friend but i support a\ll of you . just keep on protesting till they stop cause if you stop you lost the battle and it s you r children who l pay for this savaging development. all they care is for money these people and that s a pot of gold for them . keep it up

Anthony Pace Gouder

Apr 21st 2012, 13:45

All this is happening THANKS to the Authorities, and mainly Mr. George Pulliccino, who was responsible at Mepa when the Building Regulations were changed .

There muist have been pressure for the hight limit to be extended to three floors and an additional receded penthouse from some quarter !

This has disrupted a pleasantly established 2 storey height locality with single households into one where flats/apartments will gradually (if ever ) replace the original rows of houses! ....turning Swieqi once again into a building site. Hopefully many of the residents , who are proud and happy with their property will retain their original house or Villa.

This lack of foresight , by the authorities will produce an inappropriate, undesired street-scape of varying building hights. This folly must be stopped NOW to save Swieqi in time , and conserve its character and the original concept of its creation .

John Attard

Apr 14th 2012, 19:23

We will stand up to continue to be counted. Maltaa does not belong to the elite few. It never has and never will. This is all the developers ned,people who give up. Once the public does that it will be their day. No no no never give up. Malta belongs to decent citizens and residents who will continue to fight for their rights. Let s petition to bring about a massive MEPA revolution or else bring it totally down. To date reform was but a gimmick which suits only developers who can pay higher fees for more development while small fish get nowhere Let s not throw in the towel. We need to protest protest protest and protest till Govrnment realises that residents come miles before developers

Astrid Vella

Apr 14th 2012, 22:25

No, William, there is no such law, and when we proposed one, Dr. Gonzi said "What, how can I oblige a developer to finish a building if he may have financial problems to do so?

It does not take a genius to provide the answer which is staring Dr. Gonzi in the face. When applying for EU projects, the applicant has to prove that he can afford to finish the project. Instead, in Malta, developers openly indulge in an illegal practice of applying for loans on one project which are then shunted to their other projects. Now that the industry is in a slump, it is becoming more difficult for medium to small contractors to juggle many projects simultaneously, and so they are facing problems.

What no politician is responsibly facing, is the fact that while from 1985 - 1994 our population was still growing at a rate of 8%, the growth is now almost nil at 0.2% and national statistics show that by 1220 the population will be on the point of diminishing. So who are we still building all these thousands of new apartments a year for? Is it a case that our politicians are avoiding biting the bullet in order to avoid unpopular legislation, hoping that someone else will have to face the problem?

julian caruana

Apr 14th 2012, 21:30

i m 30... sorry was not around ... DID U DO ANYTHING YOURSELF???

Astrid Vella

Apr 14th 2012, 22:23

Joe, it is only natural that residents' associations take action about issues in their areas. What is stopping residents from Birzebbugia, Marsaxlokk and other communities in the South from taking action? Why are they not speaking up about the latest threat to Kalkara? We would give our support just as we gave our support to residents in the Cottonera area two weeks ago.

Joe Fenech

Apr 14th 2012, 23:20

No I didn't because it was impossible so I just took off!

Charles Grixti

Apr 15th 2012, 03:43

I had the misfortune to vist Xaghjra in the south were I had fond memories of walking to the sea with my father amongst the fields and flowers. Went there on an Arriva bus at dusk, could not believe that the once peacefule military cemetery was now cheek and jowl with new houses. and that the whole area had been built. Is this what passes for progress in Malta? By that time if got dark (thank goodness) as I could not bear to see any more and stayed right on the bus and went back home. I shall never go there again. Same can be said for Mtarfa, Mgarr and a dozen other places that we knew and loved.

Michel Spiteri

Apr 15th 2012, 09:32

@Joe Fenech What did you do? It's sad that you gave up on Malta before I was even born. If you hadn't I might have found a better place.
I won't give up because to use a cliche 'we did not inherit the world from our ancestors, we're borrowing it from our children'

Anthony Pace Gouder

Apr 24th 2012, 02:43

Jidher li meta' xeba jisma, u ma nahsibx li kien qed jipprotesta xejn ghall xi drittijiet, tant li f'nofs il-protesta
qabad u telaq waqt li qal '' ha mmur niehu kafe' !" ....... u ma regax gie lura !

Kellu kull dritt imur jiehu Kafe !

Joe Fenech

Apr 14th 2012, 17:59

OBVIOUS!

Alfred Fenech

Apr 14th 2012, 18:01

Nobody cares , its that simple. Money talks loud. High rise appartments cheaper by the dozen.
Besides Blocks of flats are more artistic (profitable) than a nice old sliema panorama.

Joe Fenech

Apr 14th 2012, 17:59

And they thought they were doing something extraordinary and luxurious !

Anthony Pace Gouder

Apr 18th 2012, 00:20

One of the leading Tigne Architects on being criticised during an interview, on the bleakness of the blocks there had the nerve to state that he never had the intention to produce 'something pleasing to the eye!!!!!!!!"

Astrid Vella

Apr 14th 2012, 22:33

No, that is not correct, We have won a string of significant cases, even against the strongest of developers such as Caqnu, on the development of Palazz ta' Rohan in Balzan. Unbelievably enough, we defeated the Arriva backed by Tumas Fenech when they decided build a depot on green fields at Zebbug, a case which was described as a national priority. We even won against all the heavyweights in Gozo on the Ramla l-Hamra project. We won against a very well-connected family in St. Julian's that wanted to demolish heritage homes.

There have even been recent cases where MEPA ruled against developers where they were previously considered within their rights, as now MEPA boards are beginning to realise that Local Plan height limitations set the top height possible but MEPA may decide that's not suited due to over-development and decree a lower height.

Saying that MEPA only listens to developers is counter-productive and encourages people to do nothing, when we need to really empower people to know their rights and fight for them.

John Attard

Apr 14th 2012, 19:16

MEPA listens only to where money does the talking. Of that I am morally convinced

Victor Carmelo Sciberras

Apr 14th 2012, 22:15

John fully agree with you. I grew up at the top of Emelys flats and could see all those lovely houses in Sliema with their bay fronts. You will be lucky to see one sandwiched between tower blocks today. What was Mepa doing Mario Spiteri when these same houses were destroyed ? I used to play by the Rocky Vale, Il-Qaliet and St. Georges bay where my school was and whenever I visit Malta I wince at some of the monstrosities built in these places. Makes you wonder what other visitors feel when they see for themselves. The worst tragedy was the Dar tal-Kappilan (16th century I think), it had a "tromba" for the sisters to swim without being observed. Last I saw it, it was a restaurant but images of St.Julians show it now as a cheap looking block of flats.

Astrid Vella

Apr 14th 2012, 14:23

Thanks are also due to Michael Briguglio of AD who attended along with Evarist Bartolo, Shadow Minister of Education. St Julian's Mayor Peter Bonello was actually invited to address the gathering, but unfortunately he left the event before it was over.

Clyde Bonello

Apr 14th 2012, 16:23

Please correct yourself Astrid. You INTENDED to invite the Mayor to address the public but he left before you could do so! He would have surely adrdressed the crowd if you would have informed him before... As you well know, the WHOLE local council, PN and PL candidates together, agree with the idea that any development has to abide with the local plan and the law. I am the son of the Mayor and I'm writing on his behalf.

Karl Consiglio

Apr 14th 2012, 17:12

Does he feel the need to be invited? Come on he's the Mayor..

@Clyde Bonello,

"development has to abide with the local plan and the law"

The local plan and the law could be flawed.

Clyde Bonello

Apr 14th 2012, 18:05

If its something organised by another group, yes, he had to be invited to speak. He did his duty and showed up at the protest... If it were something organised by the council, then it would have been his duty to address the crowd. Simple!

John Attard

Apr 14th 2012, 19:02

@astriid Vella
It rather seems you decided to hold on to the limelight. But anyway what's done is done. Hope that together with Local Council and Mayor St Julian's doesnot continue to see further development Enough is enough. The idea that the Government within MEPA continues to allow developments of such magnitude just because they fit the local plan is ridiculous.And now is the right time to protest and protest. And protest cause it's only now that one could be taken seriously due to the election. My vote counts too and I will publicly state that I will not vote for the developers!

Astrid Vella

Apr 14th 2012, 22:27

@ Clyde Bonello: we did invite the Mayor, but it is true that it was a spontaneous decision and he was not warned beforehand. No slight was intended as we stressed that we appreciated the presence of all of the Council, so much so that this invitation was a first, as we have never before invited a Mayor to speak at one of our events.

@ John Attard: I cannot imagine how anyone can accuse us of hogging the limelight, when we then invited anyone who wished to do so to address the crowd, and many took up our offer. It seems you are speaking without having been there.

Still, it's very gratifying to read that "the WHOLE local council, PN and PL candidates together, agree with the idea that any development has to abide with the local plan and the law". We therefore look forward to seeing members of the Local Council alongside us to object to the seven stories at MEPA next Thursday.

Michel Spiteri

Apr 15th 2012, 09:57

It was very encouraging that the Mayor Mr Peter Bonello and the local council were present. I did not officially invite the Mayor to speak, however at the end of the protest I did ask if anyone from the local council wanted to speak, yet by then the Mayor must have just left. The Mayor on behalf of the council has made it clear that the Council stands for legality and fully supports the Residents Association in it's insistance that MEPA follows the law when granting permits. It was also very encouraging that the protest was attended by MP's Karl Gouder (PN) and Evarist Bartolo (PL), the cairperson of AD Michael Brugulio, and the Vice-Chairperson Yvonne Aqueros Ebejer.

Willie Grech

Apr 14th 2012, 14:16

"The site is a corner one with the side road being steeply sloped upwards"

This argument by JA Ebejer reminded me of another project in Wied id-Dis, Gharghur. There was a minister who said that this project was only a two storey building, but it depended also from which side you looked at it. Is this going to be another such project that you need to look only from the eyes of whoever?

Astrid Vella

Apr 14th 2012, 14:20

Misreporting? It was the developers who misrepresented the wall behind the proposed buildingas a party wall all the way up. It is only the lower level of this building that is a party (ie shared) wall. The higher levels are normal exterior walls, in fact they have had legal windows and balconies there which are shown in plans that go back 30 years. Instead of which the developer claimed they were abusive and attempted to build up 7 floors right up against these windows, blocking them off!!

Although this building is a corner site, the floors would be counted from the highest point if the flat had an entrance on that high side or if the block was registered there. But the application is clearly registered on its main facade at Spinola Seafront and the number of floors has to be counted from there.

These arguments are exactly the sort of twisting of regulations that has earned MEPA its reputation as the most corrupt organisation on the island and heaps disrepute on anyone who indulges in such equivocation at the cost of residents who stand to have their source of light cut off. What do such people care that this can lead to serious mental illness, as confirmed by several studies including one by the eminent Maltese psychiatrist, Dr. Anton Grech.

Mepa has started to take good decisions but until MEPA and its cronies continue to indulge in applying the letter of the law, rather than the spirit of the law, MEPA will never regain its credibility.

Michel Spiteri

Apr 15th 2012, 10:04

@J.A. Ebejer, if the site in question is looked at from the square, one will see seven stories and the local plan clearly states that it is a three storey area! Am I the one who has a problem with Maths here? We need to look at the spirit of the law and not the letter!
Furthermore, our problem is not just height limitation. We are insisting that MEPA carries out a study for the area as a whole before considering permits! How will traffic increase? What about pollution? Shouldn't these be considered in the light of the onslaught on the area, before individual permits are issued?

Anthony Pace Gouder

Apr 18th 2012, 01:28

I would like to ask ,how you are concluding that this is a corner site . As far as I know the alignment or building line stands only on the square . This site does not border on any side streets but has a very narrow (c. 1 point 3 meters wide) flight of steep steps on the left and the old dilapidated Villa gate and garden walls. So where is the side street ?

Astrid is definitely right, in her first paragraph and I CAN CONFIRM !

In the mid-seventies, I myself had drawn the first plans for the Architectural Firm of Mortimer Degiorgio & Partners for this very site that extended from Lapsi street down to Spinola, AN INTEGRAL PROJECT !

Only the flats accessible from Lapsi Street were built, as one can see their back blank "unfinished" walls ,which are not PARTY WALLS at all. For two levels apartments from Lapsi block were planned to extend slightly, just one and two rooms in repeated set-backs (receding) over the Spinola block .

Projecting blocks are visible and up to a certain height in preparation for the Building's future extension . A careful look , and one will notice that these (mursalli) are present up to a height of three floors above the Spinola Square. Shops . Why ? .......... the reason is simple for even nearly 40 years ago the permit allowed EXACTLY three floors . No penthouse or receded floor was ever thought of or permitted to top the Spinola block in those days .

Anthony Pace Gouder

Apr 18th 2012, 15:45

@ Astrid Vella I would like to clearify that the receeded 2 top storeys of the Lapsi Block that were to encroach above the THREE storey (never built) Spinola section were also to receed on the side overlooking the very narrow lane,with steps, next to 'Saddles'.

All the shops on Spinola Square were to be demolished and reconstructed,with slight alterations to provide space for an entrance hall, stairwell and lift shaft from the Square. This also was necessary to construct proper deep foundations for a three storey building .

The probability IS that the shops ,and THAT only one storey was EVER built is due to the site's geological nature , that the existing shops' foundations rest on unstable sedimentary damp sub-soil which ,on excavating , fills up immediately with sea water seeping from the bay.

James Tyrrell

Apr 14th 2012, 13:38

They were present but went into hiding when called upon by the crown to answer questions.

Astrid Vella

Apr 14th 2012, 14:29

Mr Inguanez, FAA has noticed and indeed spoken about the massive building at Ta' Monita. But have the residents of Marsascala formed themselves into a dynamic group like St. Julian's and called on us for help? No. Have residents spoken up against the next nightmare of a mega-project to fill the last green fields at Kalkara with flats? No.

Trying to play the 'but this is the South card' against FAA doesn't fly. Only two weeks ago we held a press conference in Bormla, highlighting the problems being faced by residents of the Three Cities.

Charles Grixti

Apr 15th 2012, 03:45

We should organize nationally and not patchwork by localities. Strength is in numbers and Malta is just too small for one area not to affect another. Ta' Monita - what were they thinking?

John Attard

Apr 14th 2012, 19:04

Agree totally no vote to the P N

Clyde Bonello

Apr 14th 2012, 16:08

The Mayor was present at the protest fighting for the rights and laws to be respected like all the rest... I think that answers your question, doesn't it?

joanne pace

Apr 14th 2012, 16:40

so would |I ???????

Karl Consiglio

Apr 14th 2012, 16:55

Ok physically he was present, then how did the situation come to this?

Karl Consiglio

Apr 14th 2012, 16:57

@Clyde Bonello,

"The Mayor was present at the protest fighting for the rights and laws to be respected like all the rest.."

So whose side is that??

Clyde Bonello

Apr 14th 2012, 18:11

@ Karl Consiglio

He, and all the members of the council, is not against the development as long as its done within the context of the local plan. I don't know what's so difficult to understand!

Karl Consiglio

Apr 14th 2012, 18:22

Ok so he is on the side of the local plan, not the residents, thank you for clarifying.

Michel Spiteri

Apr 14th 2012, 18:35

In a meeting held between the st julians residents association, FAA and the local council, the mayor made it clear on behalf of the council that they stand for legality and will oppose illegal developments (find this statemnet on the Save St Julians FB group page). Their presence today confirms that. Furthermore, Norman the local councillor who spoke confirmed the stand taken by the council. What's fair is fair.

John Attard

Apr 14th 2012, 19:12

What a laugh. As if it's the Mayor who decides Planning applications Karl. You should take some time and go to MEPA reception between 3and 4pm ans see a good number of dedicated workers taking home with them heavy files to make sure that they can continue the work they didn't finish on the day. You know Karl working at MEPA is so demanding. It's all time frames and targets ! My foot Karl. Wake up Karl. The real government is MEPA not the PN. MEPA will send PN to the opposition because they are soft with those who favour their pockets and so very hard with small fish. But small fish carry many votes and the big fish carry few votes.

Clyde Bonello

Apr 14th 2012, 23:48

@ Karl Consiglio

I don't know if its the way I'm writing or because you just don't want to understand... The Mayor is of the same understanding as all those who were protesting! Ultimately, his aim is to work for the residents and locality he represents and so dearly loves. I hope you are now able to understand his position!

Karl Consiglio

Apr 15th 2012, 12:04

@John Attard

If the mayor cant have a say on the matter, then whats the point of having a mayor?

Karl Consiglio

Apr 15th 2012, 12:09

@Michel Spiteri.

Some legal projects may be worse than the illegal ones.

Anthony Pace Gouder

Apr 24th 2012, 03:40

@ Clyde Bonello .......... The Mayor was there , fighting for WHAT RIGHTS ? Does the Mayor and the Local Council know how to read or EVER consulted the St. Julians Local PLAN SJ4 ?

I can point out quite a number of sites , even entire streets (eg. Spinola Road k/a Qaliet) where permits and buildings are practically DOUBLE the height limit stipulated in this Local Plan.

What sense or purpose is left of 'A VILLAGE CORE' where 'massive' double fronted apartment blocks have are being and are planned to be built ?

What about MEPA's Impact Assessments in the OLD St.Julians Village Core ? In this area, you as a resident KNOWS VERY WELL, that 'Old' Main Street , Carmel , Saint Elias , St. Angelo , Lapsi and Birkirkara Hill are the narrowest of streets! As in IMDINA or BIRGU, these were originally built to accomodate the 'axle width' or carriage-way of Karettuni and Karrozzini travelling in opposite direction !

Clyde and Peter, where is MEPA respecting all this ?

julian caruana

Apr 14th 2012, 13:20

I suggest you do that Mr. Mallia no one ever stopped you from doing so

, there is a big difference between arm chair critique and a DOER ,we choose the latter.....

Anne Farrugia

Apr 14th 2012, 13:33

R.Malia, why don't they? They have every right to do it too! As for protesting against this over development...yeah right...where were the residents many moons ago? Ah! Yes, in lala land! Sleeping! lol lol & this applies for any protest for over development! About time people wake up to what HAS happened, not to what IS happening! Enjoy your weekend people!

Michel Spiteri

Apr 15th 2012, 10:16

@R Mallia, I assure you of my support if you protest against illegality and lack of proper planning. Go for it if you believe so strongly in it. Luckily we live in a democracy where we have every opportunity to make our voices heared.
@Anne Farrugia, because there are people who have not made their voice heared before, it does not mean that they can never speak up!