Nigret project approved despite prime minister’s commitment on public land

The Planning Authority has approved a five-unit residential development in Nigret, Żurrieq, despite questions over the road needed to provide services to the site and whether its formation could involve government-owned land.

The land where the development was approved forms part of a larger parcel of agricultural land added to development boundaries in 2006. 

The present government has repeatedly stated its committed not to allow any development on government owned land in the area.

The issue was raised this morning by Wayne Flask on behalf of Kollettiv during the Planning Commission meeting, where he also referred to the ongoing legal challenge against the rezoning of the area.

Flask asked for clarity on how water and electricity services would reach the development.

The architect replied the services depended on the formation of a new road providing access to the development and that discussions would be held with the relevant government departments to allow the services to be passed through the road.

When Flask asked whether this meant that the necessary clearance had not yet been obtained, the architect insisted that the necessary clearance has been issued.

However, the architect could not clearly indicate during the meeting where the services would actually pass.

The permit requires the new road to be properly formed before construction starts, while water and wastewater services cannot be laid in the road until the Water Services Corporation’s requirements have been met.

Flask then asked whether there was a possibility government land would have to be used to provide the required access and services.

“There is an electoral promise that no areas belonging to government will be used,” he replied, referring to the government’s commitment concerning the use of government-owned land.

Prime Minister Robert Abela had said in May that “a Labour government commits itself to ensuring that public land in these zones is not developed for speculative purposes”. The commitment was made amid controversy over the proposed development of the Nigret site.

“You are creating a big problem for everyone including yourselves approving the development in the absence of any indication of where the services for this and other developments in the area will pass,” Flask said.

The application (PA/01847/26) presented by JsDimech Ltd, involves the excavation of a vacant plot, two basement garages, a reservoir and five residential units, reaching three floors plus a receded level.

The site fronts Triq l-Iskulturi Fabri and forms part of an area brought within development boundaries through the 2006 rationalisation process.

The Planning Authority had approved the zoning of the wider area through Planning Control application, which provided for the extension and formation of roads and residential development. That zoning decision is subject to a legal challenge by Il-Kollettiv.

The current application attracted 261 representations.

Residents argued the area lacked the infrastructure and road capacity needed to support further development, while warning that the first project would establish a precedent for additional apartment blocks.

The site lies at the edge of the development zone, immediately adjoining agricultural land.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage had previously called for development to be stepped down towards the ODZ and requested further visual assessment.

The PA case officer nevertheless concluded that the proposal complied with applicable planning policies and recommended approval.

The permit also states that where land is owned or administered by the government, specific clearance from the Lands Authority must be obtained before the permission can be executed.