Updated at 5pm with Siggiewi council reaction

The government is to go ahead with a major social housing project in Siġġiewi, despite objects by the locality's local council, but it will not add an additional floor to the original plans, and parking will be increased, Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said today.

He said the project was first conceived in 2006 and a Mepa permit was issued in 2013.

READ: Siġġiewi council objects to plans to larger social housing plans

Delaying it now could result in a loss of the EU funds allocated for it, Mr Galdes said. 

The project will feature 65 apartments, a childcare centre, and sheltered housing for the elderly.  

Siġġiewi council starts petition

The Siġġiewi council has refused to give up, however, and started a petition a few days ago in an attempt to stop the project.

It said today that it had nothing against social projects but that the "exaggerated scope" of the plans would have a detrimental effect on everything from traffic and parking to waste management and cleanliness.

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