Environment NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar said today that the proposed building of a five-storey project of 62 flats and 105 car spaces at the junction between Sliema Road and Birkirkara Road in San Gwann would destroy one of the last areas that retain the character of the old village of San Gwann.

The proposed development is to be discussed by Mepa tomorrow.

The FAA noted that Transport Malta had commented that it could not accept additional development in the area. Yet, it said, following communication with the developer and a report produced by the developer, the former chairman of Transport Malta intervened to reverse TM’s unequivocal refusal .

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar said it was concerned that this report dod not address the issue of Zbibu Lane, a narrow dead-end lane which could not cope with the additional traffic to be generated by this 62-apartment complex. 

The NGO said the handling of the heritage issue related to this application was 'questionable'.

"After Mepa’s Directorate had recommended that the 300 year-old farmhouse must be retained, it then recommended shifting it 50m west and finally that it could be demolished as it jars with the new development. Yet an old farmhouse of the same period will flank the development on the other side!"

"In addition to some fine examples of cart ruts as well as a wartime shelter, the site has two large wells, full of fresh water, but instead of creating a heritage park full of trees fed by the wells, these wells will be destroyed with no knowledge of the source of the water or its impact on the proposed development. So while Government builds a huge reservoir nearby, and gives grants for domestic wells, existing reservoirs will be destroyed," it said.