First Nigret apartment block approved despite nearly 400 objections

The Planning Authority has approved the first apartment block in Żurrieq’s Nigret area, despite nearly 400 objections to the development.

The project, submitted by Josef Dimech and JS Dimech, plans to transform a field on Triq l-Iskulturi Fabri into a block containing 12 apartments, four maisonettes, four penthouses and basement garages.

During the election campaign, Prime Minister Robert Abela said the government was holding discussions with residents and promised to find a solution to concerns about development in the area. The project has nevertheless now been approved.

Objectors argued that Nigret should be preserved as a green buffer and that the proposed building was too large and dense for its surroundings. They also urged the Planning Authority to consider the cumulative impact of this and other proposed developments in the area.

Although the site falls within the Development Zone, it directly adjoins rural land outside the development boundary. Objectors argued that the project should not be designed as an ordinary apartment block, but should provide an appropriate transition between the built-up area and the surrounding countryside.

Concerns were also raised about the progressive approval of similar projects, which objectors said could collectively result in the loss of rural land, a harsher boundary with the Outside Development Zone, a fundamental change in Nigret’s character and the creation of a wall of apartment blocks.

Other representations directly challenged the Case Officer’s Report, arguing that it recorded the nearly 400 objections without properly addressing them.

They said the case officer acknowledged the objections and then recommended approval, but failed to provide sufficient reasoning explaining how the concerns had been assessed and why the project was considered acceptable.

In June, Lands Minister Owen Bonnici told journalists that representatives of the objectors had said they were not necessarily opposed to construction in the area, provided that its context was respected.

He also promised that public land in Nigret would not be used for development. However, Bonnici would not commit to ensuring that public land would not be used to build roads required to serve the projects.

READ ALSO | Żurrieq residents tell Lands Minister Owen Bonnici he does not speak for them on Nigret dispute

Commenting on the recommendation for approval, Il-Kollettiv said that, despite the government’s promises, it was clear that roads needed to support the development would pass through public land.

READ ALSO | Il-Kollettiv accuses developers of trying to commit Żurrieq's Nigret area before residents can appeal