Local opposition sinks Wied Ghomor project

Application for development of old people's home in a quarry in Wied Ghomor overwhelmingly rejected by Planning Authority board

The Planning Authority board unanimously refused a permit for an old people home in Wied Ghomor.

A 4,500 petition and opposition from local councils and eNGO's weighed on the planning authority as the hall was packed by residents, environmentalists and local councils opposing project. In a clear indication that the application was going to be approved when it was put on the agenda in February, the Planning Directorate was recommending its approval.  The Planning Directorate always consults MEPA's executive committee on major projects.  But a postponment requested by the developer gave civil society enough time to rally support for the project in a more agitated political landscape.  

The application included a proposal for the construction of a 133-room old people’s home, the dimensions of which would occupy 8% of the quarry but rise two storeys above the hole.

Planning Authority chairman Vince Cassar himself objected to the design of the project and claimed that the project clashes with SPED policies limiting development to urban area.

Ryan Callus, the opposition's representative on the board opposed the project insisting that the major issue is the safeguarding of the last green area in this zone. He also hinted that the government can intervene to rehabilitate the site while safeguarding the rights of the owner.

"Mistakes have been done in the past with regards to development in the valley. We can't afford to make more mistakes' Cassar said.

Cassar also questioned the inclusion of public land in the project.  The hall was packed by exasperated residents from San Gwann and Swieqi who insisted on the protection of a valley which they described as their lung.

San Gwann mayor Etienne Bonello de Pius questioned the description of development as a rehabilitation of the quarry insisting that this signifies development. He pointed out that the development even includes a large restuarants.

Resident Sandy Galea who led a grass root campaign against the project insisted that development in the valley must be addressed holistically.
Resident Miriam Warrington who lives opposite the proposed development warned that the approval could set a precedent for other developments in the valley.

Astrid Vella asked what benefit the project offers to the community. She also condemned the way the project creates a ghetto for old people.

The Swieqi mayor Noel Muscat also referred to the over development facing his locality and warned that traffic for the proposed home would pass from Swieqi.

'Swieqi has already lost enough. This is the only space separating Swieqi from San Gwann and San Giljan and has to be protected'.

Din l-Art Helwa (DLH) insisted that the local plan makes it clear that Wied Ghomor must be protected as a "strategic natural buffer' between Swieqi and San Gwann.

DLH and Front Harsien ODZ warned that approval of the old people home would set a precedent for similar developments in other quarries. DLH described the idea of rehabilitating quarries as hogwash and an excuse for ODZ development.

Developers' architect Stephen Farrugia described the application as a result of 10 years of discussions with the PA.  He also insisted that one third of the land will be handed to the public.

He emphasized the rehabilitation of the quarry and the creation of a public park on a third of a site. The five-storey old people's home will occupy 8 per cent of the site and rise two stores above quarry. The local plan had specified that only a minimal area can be developed. Before 2013 the board had insisted on a 5% capping.  

But Farrugia insisted on the financial viability of project, insisting that the size of the development was essential to make it viable by maximizing the number of rooms. He also confirmed that part of the area of the quarry is in government ownership and borders on a rationalisation site where development is made conditional in the local plan on the rehabilitation of the quarry.

Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Arnold Cassola hailed the PA’s decision as a “victory for common sense” and urged it to now drop the controversial ‘American Institution of Malta’ project on ODZ land at Zonqor.

“We have also seen permits in ODZ areas recently granted in Mellieha, Rabat, Mqabba and Mgarr. This is not acceptable. ODZ is ODZ.”