But as everyone is looking at the debate over the future of Kalkara valley, enter Dr Edwin Mintoff.

This architect was employed by the Kalkara Local Council back in 1995 to prepare a report on Kalkara and outline a development strategy.

He then resurfaced in 1999 as the architect responsible for a private application by a certain Ms Victoria Tabone, to develop a site in the Kalkara valley for housing purposes. The site is located in the current disputed area. The PA notice, 06492/99, for the housing development is still affixed in the area, waiting for the go-ahead.

This is being considered as a conflict of interest by environmentalists and people from Kalkara.

On December 14, 1995, Dr Mintoff represented the Kalkara council, along with the Secretary and a Councillor during a meeting, held with Planning Authority officials. The minutes of this particular meeting reveal that the basic strategy elements of the Local Council were in line with those of the local plan proposed by the PA.

Furthermore, the Local Council, presumably on the advice given by Dr Mintoff, agreed that the "open area under the bastions" which at the time was being studied by the PA, "should incorporate some terraced houses and open spaces."

Today, the Kalkara Local Council seems to have changed its stand on the issue. The valley-side area, which the Council wants to protect today, is the same area, which the Council recommended for terraced houses in 1995.

Furthermore, in 1996 the Council had not submitted any written comments on a report put forward by the PA Board on the area under dispute.

It must be pointed out that the whole of the Kalkara valley was earmarked for development since the 1960s. In 1988 the development zone was reduced to protect part of the valley. The PA’s current position aims to protect a large part of the valley from development while allowing terraced houses and villas on the southern slope of the valley. But at the time, this was contested by five green NGO’s in a joint press conference.

In deciding on the issue the PA has taken into account the investment made by various individuals and companies in the area who had purchased the land believing that it was for development purposes.

One may argue validly that the PA has taken into consideration only the interests of the individuals who own land in the area. However, this is part of the historical baggage that the PA has to carry.

Wrong planning decisions taken years ago by politicians who considered Malta to be their fiefdom are now surfacing to hound the Cottonera residents.

For all intents and purposes the guns should be directed towards the politicians who are solely responsible for the bad decisions taken in the past.

The PA cannot do much more unless Parliament decides to protect all the valley irrespective of the investments done in the area.