San Ġwann residents crowded a planning authority board hearing waving homemade posters lambasting the decision to allow the construction of a megablock of apartments yesterday.

The planning authority approved the development of the contentious apartment block along the narrow Zbibu Lane, with angry residents describing the development as “monstrous”.

The development was given the thumbs up with 12 votes in favour and one vote, of Ramblers Association member Alex Vella, against.

There is a community under threat here

The block is set to include 60 apartments on four storeys and a semi basement floor.

In 2008 the transport authority had flagged it up as potentially causing a significant traffic problem in the residential area.

That view was later overturned after a traffic impact assessment was presented to Transport Malta.

It was later decided that the project could go ahead against a €25,000 contribution from the developers towards the upgrade of the Kappara junction.

Project architect David Vella told the hearing that the plans had been substantially changed since the original application was filed back in 2004.

The new designs also took on board suggestions made by the planning authority board last month after it criticised the development for its “poor aesthetics”.

They feature a terraced design and a curved corner facade.

He stressed that the development, by San Ġwann Limited, fell in line with all the planning policies including height restrictions and environmental concerns.

Residents, however, directed a barrage of criticism at the board, insisting the development would demolish the area’s archaeological and environmental “gems”.

Resident Steven Saliba, wearing a poster on his chest asking if a dangerous building was “responsible”, argued that the development would disturb the remains of a battery used during the siege of Valletta in 1798-1800.

Mr Vella, however, said the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, responsible for preserving archaeological sites, found that the site contained no archaeological features in need of preservation, other than cart ruts that the project would preserve.

Mr Saliba later queried the validity of such findings, claiming the SCH had not been able to correctly examine the site.

“They didn’t even know that the site contained a war shelter,” Mr Saliba said.

The development will be constructed directly above the subterranean bomb shelter. The project architect highlighted that all the necessary precautions had been taken to ensure than no supporting structures were erected above the delicate area.

Resident Janet Tanti, an experienced ambulance driver, pointed out that the development would pose a problem for heavy vehicles in the case of an emergency.

The architect again dismissed the statement, insisting the development provided an adequate turning circle for heavy vehicles. He added that emergency vehicles could access the area from the arterial Birkirkara Road.

Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar member Astrid Vella said she felt the planning authority had a responsibility to protect society from “creeping developments” that were ruining the Maltese environment.

“There is a community under threat here, Mepa should protect it,” Ms Vella said.