An environmental lobby group is urging the planning authority to maintain the protected status of a number of large urban gardens and stop their redevelopment.
Addressing a press conference outside the imposing grounds originally part of Villa Giannin in Għaxaq, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar spokeswoman Astrid Vella insisted the Malta Environment and Planning Authority was obliged to help preserve such green spaces.
The regulator is today expected to hear a proposal to deschedule the garden along with another belonging to Villa Mekrech, also in Għaxaq. The proposal would see both gardens levelled and replaced by apartment blocks and underlying garages.
Ms Vella implored the development watchdog to refuse the proposal and called for new ways to maintain such “gems”.
“We call upon the authorities to give property owners tangible help to stop theses places from falling by the wayside. We cannot allow these places to become the next victims of ill-conceived development.
“And we certainly cannot allow lack of maintenance to be used as an excuse to allow further development,” Ms Vella said.
The once-immaculate grounds behind the large Villa Giannin are home to several protected trees including two different types of mature conifers and palm trees. There is also a large natural pond and the area is home to dozens of song birds.
Residents say they are very worried by the proposed developments, insisting the project would only worsen the locality’s perennial flooding problem.
“It floods so much over here and these gardens are the only land that soaks up the water. I once saw a child hanging onto a door for dear life when the flood waters flowed out of control,” Juliette Vella said.
FAA spokesman Antonio Anastasi referred to a recent study that had found that trees alone soaked up about 33 per cent rainwater.
Labour MP Marlene Pullicino was present for the press conference, accompanied by PN councillor Mario Rizzo Naudi and Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola. All three objected to the proposed descheduling and insisted that a policy protecting such gardens was necessary.
Dr Rizzo Naudi said he had lived in Għaxaq for several decades and had witnessed the town’s reluctant transformation into a “mass of white construction blocks”.
Prof. Cassola warned Mepa of the consequences of bowing to the construction lobby. He said the contentious decision in favour of a mega block along Mistra ridge had placed the planning authority on thin ice.
“It’s payback time for the construction lobby. Malta is for sale and they are cashing in,” he said.