I am writing on behelf of my client John Cilia regarding his proposed development at Tower Road, Sliema, on the property of the Carmelite Order, about which there has been much media attention.
In particular, of concern are the implications contained in the article appearing in The Sunday Times of Malta (August 16) titled ‘Ex-Carmelite Prior signed off property to his brother – Long-term lease challenged in court to stop supermarket development.’
While it is true that the private writing was signed by the former prior of the Carmelite Order of Balluta conferring a lease on John Cilia, the prior’s brother, this was done by Fr Cilia, as authorised representative of the Balluta Carmelite community, together with the vice-prior, also duly authorised.
This authority was granted only after Mr Cilia’s proposal was approved by a vote taken by the Carmelite Balluta community, in preference to another offer by a third party, which was also on the table.
The prior, Mr Cilia’s brother, in fact did not take part in the vote on account of his conflict of interest. The order’s provincial at the time also formed part of the Balluta community and voted at the meeting.
It is clear from these facts that the implications contained, especially in the title to the article, are totally misplaced to say the least.
Up to the date of writing of the article, there existed no legal action against John Cilia requesting that the private writing in question be declared null and void.
Regarding the nature of Mr Cilia’s application, the actual position is that an application was filed with Mepa to transform the current site into a much needed three-level underground car park, with an entrance and exit for the car park at street level, a mini market of 293 square metres on the ground floor together with offices on the first floor.
As it stands, the site currently consists of a rock base which rises nearly two storeys above street level (behind the boundary wall on Tower Road), upon which, in part, there lies a garden with a statue of Our Lady.
Contrary to what has been projected in the media, the proposed plans maintain the current building height and will reinstate the garden and the statue on top of the proposed development. Thus, there will be no resulting loss of light to neighbouring properties, nor will there be loss of surrounding greenery and airspace.
Modern urban landscaping all over the world favours environmentally-friendly parking facilities lying out of sight below garden embellished areas.
Most importantly, the proposal moreover lies within an area zoned by Mepa for development of parking facilities. Clearly, any concerns about traffic congestion are pre-empted and appropriate measures, such as internal traffic management systems, will be taken to ensure that no congestion occurs as a result of any traffic leaving or entering the garage.