St Julian’s residents yesterday called on the planning authority to look at the bigger picture when processing project applications in the already overdeveloped village.

“We need a serious study into the impact all this construction is having… If not we will end up living in a concrete jungle where we can’t breathe and where there is no light,” resident Michel Spiteri told a crowd that gathered in Spinola Square for the Save St Julian’s protest yesterday morning.

About 150 residents turned up for the event, organised by the St Julian’s Residents’ Association and environmental NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar.

Several protesters wore surgical masks or gas masks as they chanted: “Save St Julian’s… Let us Breathe.” Others carried banners calling on the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to respect the village heritage.

“The face of St Julian’s changed. Wherever I look I see buildings that weren’t here when I was a child… We are not against development but it has to be planned,” Mr Spiteri said.

Dutch national Antonius Kok, 72, who has been living in Malta for 12 years, said he feared Malta would follow in Spain’s footsteps – where the building industry collapsed due to overdevelopment. He expressed anger at the authorities for permitting development in areas that should be protected.

“This is the first time in my life I felt I had to join a protest… I want to wake up the Maltese to take more action,” he said.

Astrid Vella, from FAA, said residents had the right to a study into the cumulative impact the various projects would have on traffic, noise, congestion and lack of sunlight.

At the moment there were nine pending applications in the area including a home for the elderly and various apartment blocks, she said.

Ms Vella pointed towards the dilapidated Villa Frieres earmarked for restoration and development into a diplomatic residence and the building of 21 apartments overlying shops in Spinola square.

The project was recommended for approval despite being a seven-storey project in a three-storey area, Ms Vella said.

A woman living in Lapsi street said the Villa Frieres project would block sunlight in her bedroom.

“They want us to save energy then they remove our windows and block out our sunlight with high buildings,” the woman said.

Mepa is expected to take a decision on Thursday.