PD supports Rabat residents' concern over proposed construction in village core

Partit Demokratiku has voiced its support to Rabat residents who are objecting to an application for the demolition of a town house in the village's core in order to make way for a two storey structure.

The town house in question is in an urban conservation area and had already faced demolition in 2003, but the application had been refused at the time.

“Partit Demokratiku would like to show its full support to Rabat’s residents that are currently objecting to an application (PA/07689/16) which would see a town house in Rabat’s village core demolished and replaced with a two storey dwelling,” the part said in a statement this morning.

The party warned that the proposed development, if approved, would cause damage to cultural and archaeological heritage. In addition most houses in the area are sited on clay and the proposed construction posed a risk to the foundations of adjacent buildings.

“A number of underground caverns lying beneath this stretch of land may be irreversibly damaged by the excavations. Demolishing the house may also negatively impact on an intricate underground water system fed by a natural stream and which dates back to the Roman times. This is a source of water supply to a number of household wells,” added the PD.

Partit Demokratiku called for impact assessment studies should be carried out by the competent authorities themselves before approving any development application