The Townsquare project in Tigné, Sliema: A master plan is being put together for the scheduled high-rises in St Julian’s. Why must Tigné have the high-rises without the planning?

Sliema, in particular the Tigné peninsula, is under more pressure from speculators than ever. The Townsquare skyscraper has been approved and the developers now insist on their ‘right’ to maximise returns from their investment.

Almost 25 years ago, Mepa had stated in 1992 that the area was unable to take more development. Despite this, Mepa allowed the progressive mutation of the Midi Tigné project from a beautiful four-storey proposal to the soulless concrete and glass monstrosity it is today.

Similarly, the number of apartments in the adjacent Fort Cambridge blocks were permitted to multiply over those indicated by the development brief.

To make things worse, Tigné was then handed over on a platter when it was declared a ‘high-rise cluster’ area, not through any valid planning criteria or as the result of any studies, but purely as a favour to developers, since sales of property in Tigné are virtually guaranteed.

As a result of this overload, the infrastructure is now collapsing. The drains were last upgraded in the 1990s, at the time the original Midi project was conceived, and clearly cannot cope anymore. Traffic around the Tigné peninsula is now reaching motorway levels.

Another 5,700 cars daily, a good part of which will be using the residential side streets, will increase the threat to residents’ health, both physically and through further deterioration of already poor air quality. The shadow cast by the tower will darken the Qui-si-Sana coast towards the end of the day, shortening the hours of sunshine on both the beach and garden.

Common sense dictates that any development has to be considered in the present context; the peninsula is overbuilt, with congested access roads and inadequate utility supplies.

Sadly, in order not to hinder speculation, Mepa had always meticulously avoided any holistic approach, considering each application in isolation. It would have been naïve to expect any different now, particularly as the Environment and Resources Authority has been hived off and emasculated. A master plan is being put together for the scheduled high-rises in St Julian’s. Why must Tigné have the high-rises without the planning?

The Sliema local council is united in its objection to this cowboy style of development. However, the silence of the Sliema MPs is deafening, at a time when their support is most needed. There is no entitlement to develop property as you please, either up or across.