Environmental NGOs have asked the public to help them fight plans to develop skyscrapers across Malta.
The eNGOs, which are presenting a joint front in opposing developers' plans to send Malta's skyline shooting up, say they need funds to help bankroll the battle. Lodging an appeal with the Planning Authority costs €3,800 - money the NGOs say they simply do not have.
Din l-Art Ħelwa's 'Stop Skyscraper Greed’ campaign is urging people to help it raise the €8,000 it estimates it will cost to challenge decisions taken on high-rise developments in Mrieħel and Sliema.
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar also announced their #ACauseWorthFightingFor campaign in a statement arguing that "with 22 towers planned, all of Malta will be affected." The campaign is also seeking funds to help the NGO finance its opposition to high-rise plans.
The skyscrapers include the four towers in Mrieħel that were given the go-ahead by the Planning Authority last month, despite legal concerns and objections from eNGOs.
The other is the 38-storey Townsquare Project in Tigné, which was opposed by residents and the Sliema local council.
The Townsquare complex will include 159 apartments, 4,700 square metres of offices, 10,000 square metres of retail space and 748 parking spaces.
DLĦ will do what it takes to prevent this injustice, including presenting our case in court, if necessary
Although the two organisations are raising funds separately, they will be working together to oppose skyscraper developments.
DLĦ president Maria Grazia Cassar said the organisation will also seek other avenues to challenge the disregard of procedure in the implementation of the floor-area-ratio policy.
The organisation is insisting that the infrastructure of the areas cannot handle the additional burden. Roads, sewage and other services will all need to be upgraded, at great cost, while the development will also negatively affect the value of everyone else’s property.
“DLĦ will do what it takes to prevent this injustice, including presenting our case in court, if necessary,” Ms Cassar said. The deadline for lodging the appeals is around the end of September.
FAA coordinator Astrid Vella spoke similarly, saying the organisation would raise the high-rise issue "in every forum, before every board, to every entity."
The NGO painted a dark image of Malta's high-rise future. "Our congested streets will be turned into canyons trapping pollution which contributes to asthma, cancer, heart disease and strokes. Our pjazzas will be darkened by cold shadows and our iconic heritage skylines lost forever."
FAA said it has joined forces with Friends of the Earth (Malta), Din l-Art Ħelwa and Ramblers Association to campaign in opposition to the plans.
To donate to Din L-Art Ħelwa
Direct bank transfer:
HSBC: IBAN MT76MMEB44336000000033181181001
BOV: IBAN MT51VALL22013000000040021787427
APS: IBAN MT02APSB77024000892010892010012
SMS:
50617910 for a donation of €4.66
50619298 for a donation of €11.65
Credit card: Visit http://dinlarthelwa.org/donation/
Cheque: Din l-Art Helwa at 133 Melita St., Valletta
All donations will be acknowledged and funds accounted for.
To donate to Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar:
Direct bank transfer:
BOV: A/c 400-1851-6481, (IBAN:MT03VALL22013000000040018516481)
HSBC: A/c 061-253-217-050
Credit card: https://ticketengine.faa.org.mt/
Cheque: Send to 23 St Anne Street, Floriana 9012.
All donations should be marked: FAA/FoE/RAM Receipts will be sent to all those who include contact information with their donation.