Kaccaturi San Ubertu (KSU) has called for the preservation of the countryside amid the growing controversy over the building of a university in Marsascala.

KSU underlined the value and need to protect the remaining countryside in Malta.

"The proposed University is neither the first nor the last project that under current legislation can erode part of the diminishing pristine countryside. KSU calls on the government, the Opposition and all those that have the conservation of Malta’s countryside at heart to support an initiative aimed at changing the current legislation to one offering protection to all Outside Development Zones. Other than highly regulated purposes related to access and better wise use of this precious resource, no large scale development should be permitted."

The hunters' organisation said that considering the number of vacant dwellings, derelict buildings and undeveloped areas within development zones,  "it is inconceivable that our ever shrinking countryside is not given due protection by our legislators and (it is) permitted to be legally developed due to a lower land value benefiting the speculator."

ARCHBISHOP'S APPEAL

Meanwhile, Archbishop Charles Scicluna in a tweet referred to aerial footage of the site in Marsascala and said: "Please prevent this rape".