I would like to express my deep concern with regard to the imminent danger that looms over our village in Attard.

The village was planned and intended to have detached villas and bungalows, to which we contributed by investing considerably in the land and, until recently, enjoyed the peace and tranquillity we sought.

I said until recently because lately some villas are being sold to speculators, who knock them down and build blocks of apartments, with the undesired result of towering buildings overshadowing our properties.

I would like to know if the social impact of these apartment blocks has been studied prior to issuing the relative permits and if such buildings are according to the local plan? I would also be interested to hear from other parties who are as concerned as myself with regard to this situation. In other countries, say, the UK, such villages as ours are scrupulously protected by the authorities and, should such applications be received, the department concerned, besides doing a study on the impact on the residents, informs in writing and asks residents to sign a formal complaint to the council and that complaint is respected.

It seems that, unfortunately, in our country, things are very much different.