Residents and environmentalists are objecting to the development of a “monstrous” megablock of apartments along the narrow Żbibu Lane at San Ġwann.
“How can they give this terrible project the go ahead? It will ruin this locality and this precious site,” said Anthony Sciberras, a local who has lived in the winding lane for 15 years.
At a press conference yesterday, residents argued that the site was archeologically and geologically significant and deserved official recognition.
The case officer didn’t even visit the site. I think it’s absurd
Recent excavation revealed ancient cart ruts, but resident Steven Saliba believes it is also the likely site of a gun post used during the Anglo-Franco siege of Valletta in the late 1700s.
“I’m no historian but this vista seems to me to be the same as what you can see from our homes,” Mr Saliba said as he brandished a print of Maltese artist Antonio Grech’s depiction of the Valletta siege.
Mr Saliba, the official objector on the planning authority’s development application form, feared he had not been given enough time to seek expert advice on the site’s historical and geological merits.
“A lot of the site’s gems were only uncovered recently but the Mepa hearing is in a few days’ time.
“I doubt we’ll have the necessary information by then,” he said, highlighting what he believes to be a well or borehole in the middle of the site.
“Building over this could damage the water table for all we know,” he added.
The proposed six-storey development is planned to have 50 apartments, 150 underground parking spaces and 70 garages but was flagged by the transport authority as a traffic concern last year.
The authority had initially said the project would cause excessive traffic congestion.
However, it later approved it against a €25,000 contribution from development company San Ġwann Limited.
The transport authority said the contribution will go towards a congestion solution in the area.
Alternattiva Demokratika deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo, himself a civil architect, said the transport authority should create a solution to congestion first then allow development – not the other way around.
Fliemkien Għall Ambjent Aħjar Secretary Antonio Anastasi said he had been baffled by the planning authority’s report on the issue as he felt it did not take into consideration the impact it would have on residents’ quality of life.
“I don’t think any of the human elements of the impact of this development were taken into consideration – air quality, sunlight, traffic.
“The case officer didn’t even visit the site. I think it’s absurd,” he said.
Mr Anastasi also highlighted a 300-year old farmhouse that stands along the edge of the proposed spot, insisting it was not in a dilapidated state as had been stated in the planning authority’s report.
“Just look at it. It’s fine, this site shouldn’t be allowed to go to ruin because of this monster,” said another resident, Maria Vella.