The 700 families constituting the Santa Margerita community in Mosta today expressed concern at the development being proposed for the open space in the neighbourhood of the 17th century chapel of St Margaret.

A community centre is planned for a spot right in the middle of a road in Mosta.

Located at the intersection of four residential roads in the Santa Margerita area, the four-storey block, if granted a planning permit, will comprise an underground car park, three storeys and a penthouse. The project consists of a childcare centre, multi-purpose hall, a pharmacy, offices and shops spread over an area of about 575 square metres.

The residents said that the community was made up of people from all parts of Malta and this site was indispensable for their social cohesion as all the activities they organised, such as open-air masses and other religious functions and social manifestations were held there.

With the proposed development, they argued, the square, which was the lung of the zone, would be reduced to narrow streets and more buildings generating traffic problems and reducing parking spaces.

The residents said the term ‘community centre’ used by the developer was an insult to their intelligence as it was actually a commercial project.

Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, which is supporting the residents in their quest said “we have come to the ridiculous point where we now have to fight not only for the countryside and gardens, but even for a stretch of tarmac to prevent residents from getting engulfed by even more empty development.

“This site provides the space for events that bring the residents of this new area together as a community, so this is not just an environmental health issue of over-development bringing more traffic and air pollution while reducing light and air. This is also a matter of community interest.”