The Civil Society Network is objecting to the proposed Halland development in Wied Għomor.

It joined residents in their objection to an application to turn the former hotel into high-end apartments.

The network said in a statement the development was out of scale and did not conform to the North Harbour local plan, which only allowed for a maximum of 30 per cent built up area. The proposal would see 70 per cent of the site built up.

It included floors from the street and 10 floors from the valley which failed to respect the Wied Il-Kbir area of Wied Għomor, a valley of ecological importance according to the Planning Authority. Land along the south west edge of the proposed site was in an outside development zone (ODZ).

Read: Swieqi council says Halland complex extends into ODZ

The network said it was also objecting to the applicant’s proposal to acquire the public ODZ lane which led along the valley edge which was used by pedestrians, farmers and hunters to transform it into a two-way ramp leading to the proposed garage.

The latter, it said, should be included within the applicant’s own property. The proposal would also introduce commercial activities in a residential area.

Given that the proposal violated the North Harbour local plan, it should be refused by the Planning Authority, the network said adding that it supported the objections of Swieqi council, NGOs and residents.