The proposal to permit an additional two floors for retirement homes in urban areas will create more intensive development, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Carmel Cacopardo said.

Speaking during a joint press conference with Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Mr Cacopardo said: “As a direct consequence, the area where this proposal is applied will witness an increase of traffic problems, additional infrastructural pressures, as well as shadowing of buildings that will restrict the utilisation of solar energy.”

Mr Cacopardo said people had grown accustomed to Mepa first drawing up local plans, which should have considered the localities holistically and subsequently drawing up a string of exceptions, which cancel policies applicable to sectors such as hotels, petrol stations, shooting ranges, stables and areas outside the development zone.

He said that in addition to the difficulties caused by the direct impact, Mepa was now bent on removing the protection of Grade 2 scheduled properties.