Din l-Art Helwa questioned today how an application for the building of high-rise apartments at the former Mistra Village will be considered by the MEPA Board on October 31 when the formulation of a new policy to regulate high-rise buildings has just been launched.

The objectives of the new ‘Floor Area Ratio Policy’ were published by MEPA for consultation this month. Mepa itself said that high-rise buildings should not be constructed on ridges.

Yet the site of this application is on a high ridge which is of great panoramic value, Din L-Art Helwa observed.

"The timing of the board hearing for the decision on this development calls the credibility of the proposed policy into serious question right from the start. Once the formulation of a new high-rise policy is now underway, one would expect that no decision on high-rise buildings should be taken before the policy is finalised and its objectives respected," the NGO said.

"The ridge at Mistra is one of Malta’s most sensitive and scenic viewpoints, and any development is visible across the island from Mellieha and St Paul's Bay. Dr Michael Farrugia, Parliamentary Secretary in charge of Planning has just stated that he wished he could turn the clock back and get rid of disaster zones. This is one such golden opportunity," it added.