Sliema residents protest against unsustainable development

Click here for news report, Television Malta.

Times of Malta 6 November 2016

Sliema is “under attack” protestors were told this morning as they were urged to stand up to developers' cowboy tactics.

People were suffering due to “cowboy developers” who were intent on building at all costs, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar coordinator Astrid Vella told the gathering in Dingli Street. 

The pollution caused by over-development in Malta had led to an increase in illness in residents but a bullish Ms Vella insisted it was not too late to save Sliema, especially if residents made their voices heard.

FAA official Robert Fenech accused the Planning Authority of approving a number of “illegal” developments.

“If we ruin our island, who is going to want to live in the present buildings, let alone those yet to be built,” Mr Fenech questioned.

Just three applications are recommended for refusal

Sliema councillor Paul Radmilli said 177 new units on 72 separate sites had been approved or were in the final stages of approval in the last few weeks alone.
Of these developments, only three are recommended for refusal, Mr Radmilli said.

He warned that all the new developments were placing pressure on Sliema's infrastructure, particularly when it came to parking.

Councillor and former Greens chairman Michael Briguglio urged civil society to stand up to the government. He said the current government only took action when people were angered and made their voices heard.

Meanwhile, architect Edward Said slammed people who viewed Sliema as already being a lost cause as either being “ignorant, having vested interests or just plain defeatist".

Residents' ire was targeted at both the PA and developers. One placard featured a picture of PA chairman Johann Buttigieg with a halo superimposed over his head. 

One resident held a placard aloft featuring a number of high-rise buildings and cranes, with a foreboding 'Welcome to Sliema' sign.

A number of MPs were present at the event, including independent MP Marlene Farrugia and PN MPs Robert Arrigo and Kristy Debono.

Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party also participated in the event through a delegation including Chairperson Arnold Cassola and Secretary General Ralph Cassar. 

Click here for news report, Television Malta.

Sliema overdevelopment protest this Saturday

The Malta Independent 1 November 2016

Environment NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar have called a protest against overdevelopment, which will take place this Saturday.

In their statement, FAA says: "After decades of neglect, Sliema is under siege. With developments planned or under way in almost every street, our narrow streets cannot cope with all the traffic and parking needed for the hundreds of new apartments being built".

"Cowboy developers work with impunity, filling the streets with dust and disturbing residents even on public holidays, seemingly immune to enforcement action".

"Pavements are damaged and encroached on," she said, while adding that this makes it hard for wheelchair users to use. "As buildings rise taller and taller in narrow streets, residents are being deprived of their basic needs of light and air".

"Residents living in the Savoy area are choked by car exhaust, Qui-si-Sana and Tigne residents are facing many years of construction, while others still cannot sleep at night due to nightspots spreading to residential areas".

"That's why this Saturday 5 November at 11:00 am, residents will meet at Dingli Circus in Sliema to speak about issues that affect us all".

The FAA statement reads that the protest is not limited to Sliema residents, "as all Malta is being affected by the problems of over-development, traffic and parking problems, abusive developers, destruction of heritage, and above all, air and noise pollution". The Facebook event page can be found here.

The Facebook post reads: "the Prime Minister, the Minister for the Environment, The Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and the Superintendent for Cultural Heritage have also been invited to witness the chaos for themselves".