Controversy surrounding a massive development at the old Union Club site in Sliema has not been stemmed by new plans, drawing renewed criticism from NGOs and residents.
Organisations Din l-Art Ħelwa and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar echoed complaints by Sliema residents on the proposal by Michael Soler of the Gasan Group, which includes a 33-floor central tower.
The last development took 10 years to finish but the developers don’t care – they just pay a small fine
According to the revised plans submitted in August, the tower will be surrounded by a shopping mall, 181 apartments, almost 5,000 square metres of office space, over 9,000 square metres of retail area and an underground car park.
The site for the proposed development lies between Tower Road and Qui-Si-Sana, and borders Tigné Street and Hughes Hallet Street, including the protected Villa Drago and its grounds.
The project dates back to 2005 and the developer had originally proposed a 32-storey tower that was reduced to 23 – a height that was still met with reservations from the planning authority’s environment unit.
The new plans submitted take the central tower’s floors higher than the original proposal.
“While tall buildings undoubtedly make economic use of land, their visual impact on Malta’s low lying natural topography must not be underestimated.
“Centuries of wise human intervention has left a beautiful cultural landscape. This is about to be lost in one generation,” said DLĦ president Simone Mizzi.
With six areas now planned for high-rise development, Malta’s historic skyline dominated by its baroque domes will change forever, DLĦ added.
She stressed that few benefit from tall buildings: “They are built in this order, first for the interests of those selling them who capitalise on good locations and views; then for those living inside them, but certainly not for the rest who have to look at them. The outlook is dark unless you live at the top.”
The NGO also pointed out that the impact of tall buildings on traffic is “horrendous”. This is substantiated in the assessment published last week by the planning authority’s environmental arm.
Studies show the project would impact air quality in an area already facing high traffic density, with the assessment noting that the annual average daily traffic from the proposed development would be 27,337 vehicles.
A Sliema resident who spoke to The Sunday Times of Malta blamed the pollution in the area she has lived in for close to 20 years for the cancer she developed.
“We have a lack of air and a lack of light. People are getting sick, including myself. The last development took 10 years to finish but the developers don’t care – they just pay a small fine. The disturbance created for the rest of us is no concern to them,” she said.
Her statement was supported by FAA, which said air pollution is known to cause asthma, cancer, heart conditions, Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“This project will deprive neighbours of sunshine and solar rights, and it will block the little remaining sun on the beaches, casting its shadow all the way to Manoel Island,” FAA said.
The EPD notes in its assessment that the project would have a negative social impact.