Residents of Tal-Virtù, Rabat have expressed disappointment at what they said was the Archbishop’s lack of concern over the extension being built at the Seminary.

The residents claim the permit issued for the new primary school on the site was not in line with planning policies.

They handed Archbishop Paul Cremona a 225-signature petition saying the permit, although issued legally, had no moral foundation as the planning authority board had been misguided, as highlighted by the authority’s auditor.

They complained about the “excessive” volume of traffic that would flow to Rabat as a result of the new school and called on the Archbishop to “examine” the situation.

In a letter to the residents, the Archbishop said he would leave the issue in the hands of the planning authority or the courts, which were the competent authorities to decide on the development permit.

“It was disappointing that the Archbishop, who also has the ultimate authority over the Seminary, did not appear to be concerned that the Seminary was acting on a development permit that was apparently not issued in accordance with Mepa’s policies,” the residents said.