Alternattiva Demokratika has urged the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to refuse the proposed Portomaso extension in the run-up to a public meeting on the development today.

Residents at Qaliet and Paceville in St Julians have been undergoing constant stress and discomfort due to overdevelopment in the area, AD chairman Michael Briguglio said.

The area is already overdeveloped, especially due to Portomaso, which has gone beyond of its original approval in 1995, he said.

The developers are now proposing an extra 46 apartments on an artificial lagoon between Spinola Road, the edge of the marina and the foreshore, which “totally disregards” the project’s Environment Impact Assessment, which had called for protection of the area in question.

The developers were responsible for the conservation of the two species, Wedgefoot Grass and Maltese Sea Camomile, one of which has already disappeared, Dr Briguglio pointed out.

A Mepa spokesman said today’s public meeting was part of the public consultation related to the EIA process of this application.

At this meeting the applicant and his consultants will present their findings and conclusions associated with the EIA for the development application. The comments and submissions of those present will be recorded and noted as part of the public consultation process.

“The Environment Impact Statement presented by the applicant will then be reviewed by the Environment Protection Directorate, which in turn will publish a report with its recommendations before the directorate’s report is concluded and published.”

This new procedure was introduced over the past weeks and is aimed at increasing the public’s perception that the EIA process is fairer, more transparent and safeguarded from undue bias.

“The authority will be adequately assessing all the environmental implications and pressures that this proposed project can create prior to making any decision,” the spokesman said.

The Mepa public meeting is being held at the St Julian’s School at 3 p.m.