The green lung of Balluta Valley has become a hotbed of contention, with subsequent denials, over a hazy permit application. A proposal to demolish existing public toilets for a "green urban public transport terminus in Balluta Square" has raised many questions. So far there have been very few clear answers.

Greenery in Wied il-Ballut gives relief to urban souls. Will fumes from an underground car park, wafting out of air vents, soon fill their lungs?

Balluta square is named after the oak trees, some of which were planted well over 50 years ago. As historic trees which lend a sense of identity to the place, they deserve special conservation status. The well-established roots of some of the larger shade trees would be an obstacle to constructing a car park underneath the square.

Din L-Art Ħelwa has insisted that no trees should be cut down and voiced strong concerns that the character of the square could be ruined.

Suspicions are running high that the application to demolish a public convenience, across the road from the square, could be the first phase of a large development set to disrupt the square. What appears, on an outline plan, as a ramp leading underground seems to confirm this fear.

Many say such a project is simply not feasible. Any excavation would destabilise the square and the road built on rubble which was used to fill the valley mouth and has long since settled.

Balluta residents are insisting they be told exactly what is happening now - not when it's too late.

Further enlightenment from the council or the architect might help stem the flow of public discontent. A Powerpoint presentation which was disclosed at a council meeting should be immediately posted on the St Julian's council website for all to view. An unabridged description of the chosen 'Option Two' is long overdue.

Council minutes show that the idea of a car park at Balluta was discussed and unanimously agreed upon at a meeting held with the architect last March. However, the council has been toying with the idea of digging up the square to build a car park ever since it learned that funds were available four years ago.

Minutes from June 2005 reveal that while chairing a meeting, the mayor, Peter Bonello, told the council there was space under Balluta Square for a car park and he was ready to meet whoever was involved. ("Ic-Chairman għarraf lill-kunsill li taħt il-Pjazza tal-Balluta hemm fejn jsir Car Park u huwa lest li jiltaqa' ma' min huwa nkarigat.") There was no objection from the council.

Architect Stephen Farrugia presented the car park plans and informed the council that it could benefit from Mepa's funds for the project, which would include electric vehicles. The mayor proposed that the architect should take every necessary action to prepare the documents so that the plan could move ahead.

The architect, previously director of planning, had been in charge of the formulation of a number of local plans during his time at Mepa. He is now connected to the firm Malta Planning and Design Consultants (MP and DC), which churns out traffic impact statements, a supporting document for any large development. Stephen Farrugia also provides advice to devel-opers in major projects, according to the MP and DC website.

It was also minuted that the council should have absolute control over all the processes involved. A discussion ensued over the importance of observing regulations. Feeling sidelined, the council administration insisted it be informed of all planning applications as well as the amount owed to the architect's firm.

In a follow-up meeting the mayor informed council members that "Mepa has a considerable amount of money coming from the commuted parking payment scheme". He told them he was going to investigate how the council could make use of these funds and see whether the consultant's fee could be paid out of them.

The Commuted Parking Payment Scheme (CPPS) is financed directly by fees which developers pay to Mepa if they are unable to provide the required parking facilities for their projects. The money is then used to finance car parks.

Mepa had been accused of amassing CPPS funds, even using them to acquire property for its own use. It was only after a parliamentary intervention that these trickled down to local council level. CPPS funds were intended as a tool to ensure the long term viability and success of public car parks by covering the management costs of residents parking zones.

There is also an urban improvement fund in which private developers carrying out projects are advised to submit an estimate of the cost through the local council so that they can access the funds.

Acceptable projects include creation or improvement of gardens, landscaping areas, green urban transport modes, street lighting, street furniture, public conveniences and facilities for the disabled.

Mepa is meant to ensure that the public gain is "visible and tangible".

The planning authority has yet to announce a development brief for the Balluta valley after studying what would be appropriate for this area.

The local plan for St Julian's states that Mepa will encourage upgrading of public open spaces. The square was already upgraded not so long ago.

A vague 'public consultation' was held earlier this year at Spinola Gardens on the wider concept of green urban transport. Details of the proposed urban transport/car park project were not in evidence.

The proposed car park at Balluta Square is one of three with possible links to EU funding. One in the heart of Paceville and another across St George's Bay near the Institute of Tourism Studies have also been on the cards.

A good while before Mepa's hand is set to decree 'community gain', the community must be consulted. First, not last.