Din l-Art Helwa denounces lack of transparency in revised Midi proposals

Din l-Art Helwa said modifications to plans in the Midi plc project at Tigné to build further high-rise blocks are taking place without any public consultation and a clear communication of the environmental impact assessment process.

“These are measures which should ascertain proper consideration for the inhabitants of the surrounding neighbourhood,” the NGO said.

DLH said the Malta Environment and Planning Authority also lacked a declared policy on high-rise development.

“The density of buildings within the Tigné and Qui-Si-Sana peninsula, as well as many parts of Sliema, has already reached critical proportions so that the quality of life of the inhabitants is being profoundly degraded with no appropriate infrastructural provision to reduce pollution and traffic and no planning effort to protect the last of their open spaces,” president Simone Mizzi said.

Mizzi said the additional development will join the construction mass created by the Fort Cambridge buildings and the eventual Town Square, and add to the “discordant and negative impact” on the unique vista of Valletta and its skyline.

“This is already close to being totally obscured from many parts of Sliema and is severely compromised from the Three Cities,” Mizzi said.

Din l-Art Helwa is reiterating its position on the existing so-called ‘Floor Area Ratio’ policy – which allows developers to pile on height for a smaller construction footprint – saying this opened up to “abuse and misinterpretation”.

“It has not provided for appropriate development as can be seen by the reduced visibility and quality of light in many of Sliema’s streets. Although MEPA had presented a draft policy to Cabinet back in 2006 which addressed many of the existing problems, it appears there is a lack of political will to approve these change,” Mizzi said.

She called on government to adopt the reforms immediately and freeze all developments pending the Structure Plan review to establish a stringent policy on density and high-rise construction.