[WATCH] Bormla campus traffic could harm quality of life, MEPA warned

Green open spaces

MEPA urged to protect green and blue spaces

The construction of the 'American Institute of Malta' in Cospicua could pose a threat to residents' quality of life, a research company has warned.

Anna Spiteri, managing director of the Grand Harbour-based Integrated Resources Management company (IRMco) told MEPA chairman Vince Cassar that the institute is likely to generate heavy traffic.

"Thousands of newcomers plus their cars will also bring with them a negative impact on our open spaces," she said. "It will require new roads to be built or current ones to be widened, as well as the accompanying car parks will end up encroaching on our open spaces and quality of life."

However, Cassar later told MaltaToday that the controversial project will not necessarily generate traffic. 

"It will attract foreign students who mightn't buy a car," he said. "A traffic impact assessment will be conducted eventually, but it is too early to tell as MEPA has yet to receive a development application [from Sadeen]."

Anna Spiteri was addressing a press conference at Verdala Palace along with Cassar and President Marie-Loise Coleiro, during which her company presented proposals to MEPA to safeguard the green and blue areas around the Grand Harbour. 

She called on the planning authority to list all the blue and green spaces around the Grand Harbour in the forthcoming local plans as protected spaces for the well-being of society.

"MEPA should uphold the public's right to safely access and enjoy these green and blue open spaces at all times," she said. "It must also acknowledge that the open spaces, including the agricultural areas in the vicinity, are carbon sinks that therefore play an important role for our well-being and in Malta's climate change mitigation."

In a document issued to the press, Spiteri warned that the ferry service from Valletta to Senglea has recently been stopped "to make way for other commercial interests".

"We are getting the message that, once again, decisions are being made on our quays and promenades that will not have the best interests of the local residents or the local mooring associations at heart," she wrote. 

She also said that government's decision last summer to partially site the campus in Cospicua came in the midst of discussions by IMRco with stakeholders on how to optimise Dock One and the surrounding area for the benefit of the community. 

"After centuries of anchoring our boats, swimming and playing waterpolo, rights over the use of the sea was given over to the Birgu waterfront, and we now have to pay to anchor our boats in the creek and no longer have any rights to play waterpolo in our own sea."