Vacant high rises could prompt state intervention to save developers, Church warns

The Church has accused the Enviornment and Resources Authority of allowing itself to be “taken in the developers' confidence game,” whilst voicing concern at the recent granting of permits for high-rise buildings, arguing that “the common good is not receiving the priority it deserves.”

In a statement expressing its worry at the rash of large construction projects around the island, the Church Environment Commission has waded into the debate, arguing against the construction ever higher buildings.

While caling for a study of the national property market, it praised the the statement made by the Sliema Parish Priests about the high-rise issue and said that it hoped the initiative would inspire other groups who hold the good of their communities dear.

“The argument that building upwards is the only alternative in place if we cannot build outwards, would only hold water if: (i) all existing buildings in our islands are being effectively utilized, (ii) no building activity is in fact being carried out beyond development zones, and (iii) the standard of living in our islands will definitely improve thanks to these high rise buildings.”

It asks whether these projects are needed, especially in view of the large number of vacant dwellings on the island.

“Given the diversity of communities in different countries on the anthropological, geographical and other levels, it would be absurd to believe that a success story abroad will work equally well in the context of our islands. In this respect we would do well to take heed of Pope Francis’ warning: The time has come to pay renewed attention to reality and the limits it imposes; this in turn is the condition for a more sound and fruitful development of individuals and society”

The commission posited that it was not rare for applicants to submit hugely exaggerated proposals so that when their revised and downsized versions are submitted, this would the impression that “huge improvements have been made” - in spite of the final proposals still being unacceptable under planning policies.

"However, a project would still be approved due to the psychological game whereby the first proposal would have shocked a lot so that the second proposal becomes ‘acceptable’. This is not the ‘innovation’ we should be aspiring to”.

It warned that if a large number of units forming part of the high-rise buildings remain unsold or vacant, the promoters of these large projects could eventually force the government to adopt measures to protect the developers from financial problems. “Such measures may have an adverse effect on the property market or, indeed, on the economy of the whole country.”