Update 12.15pm - Adds PL reaction
The granting of permits for controversial towers in Mrieħel and Sliema are a direct consequence of the government’s environmental policies, according to Opposition leader Simon Busuttil.
“The people must now ask themselves whether they agree with these policies,” Dr Busuttil said during a brief phone-in on Radio 101 this morning.
“This party does not agree that Malta should become like another Dubai, with everything built up and profit the only god.
“I believe this new direction is excessive; it is forever changing the face of Malta and people have to keep this question in mind when they make a decision at the next general election.”
Dr Busuttil also called for the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to appeal the 38-storey Townsquare decision, allowing for the authority’s views to be properly heard after the absence of chairman Victor Axiak from the PA board meeting that gave the project the go-ahead.
“We are seeing here the consequences of the Mepa demerger [into the PA and ERA],” Dr Busuttil said. “The environment has been relegated as a consideration and environmental protection does not have the same strength it had before.”
Prof. Axiak was unable to attend the meeting due to illness, his absence leaving the ERA with no real voice in proceedings and no vote. The project was approved by a single vote margin.
The Sunday Times of Malta reported today that Prof Axiak had described the impact assessment for the project as a “sham” in a memo sent to PA board member Timmy Gambin.
This memo was not read out during the meeting, in contrast to a similar memo sent for the Mrieħel project which was decided that same day.
Last week, the ERA told this newspaper that it “did not envisage appealing the PA decisions on the Mrieħel and Sliema highrises”. It now seems to be reconsidering that stand.
'He speaks one way and votes the other' - PL
In a reaction, the Labour Party said that Busuttil's complaints rang hollow.
"The PN's leader voted in favour of high-rise policies through his representative on the PA board. It's useless speaking differently now," the PL said.
It added that the previous PN administration, led by Lawrence Gonzi and with Dr Busuttil as deputy leader, had backed the Sliema Townsquare project.
The PN's representative on the PA board, Ryan Callus, voted in favour of a high-rise policy in 2014 but opposed both the Mrieħel and Townsquare high-rise projects.