The Planning Authority recently published a master plan for Paceville and embarked on a slick marketing public consultation exercise.

This document identifies nine sites for development. Similar sites were recently identified by private investors, in which 22 high-rise towers are set to be constructed.

According to my Chambers Dictionary, the terms: ‘public’ means ‘belonging to the people; relating to a community’, while the term ‘consultation’ signifies ‘to ask or seek advice’. This means that when a public consultation is announced, the advice of the public is sought out and evaluated.

It seems that the Planning Authority wants to redefine the significance of these two terms. It is becoming very clear to all those who care to think that the concerns of residents were and are being bluntly ignored.

It seems that the remit given to the PA’s consultants was to consult only with private investors and seek only their advice.

This perception is reinforced when it was confirmed by the PA itself that submissions by Tumas Group, regarding land reclamation, were forwarded to the consultants.

Although the consultants stated that they gathered all information, no information was sought from residents or from the local council.

Ironically, it was our local council which took the initiative to invite the PA to the council and not vice versa! Although the PA accepted, it refused our second invitation to meet up with our residents before the public consultation period closes on November 4.

A public consultation without a meeting with the public is no public consultation, but only a sham. The refusal of the PA to hold a public meeting with residents and hear their side of the story goes to reinforce the common perception that this exercise is just a smokescreen.

Although the PA turned down our invitation, as deputy mayor of this locality I am inviting our residents and the public to a public meeting on Friday at the Millennium Chapel at 7pm.

Voice your concerns. Let your voice be heard.