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Qrendi residents crash garden inauguration in protest over massive development
The direct action was taken in response to a zoning application threatening to alter the quiet locality through a massive development
30 October 2026, 7:48pm
Matthew Farrugia
Matthew Farrugia
1 min read
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Activists and residents crashed the inauguration of a garden on Friday (Photo: Andre Callus/Facebook)
Activists and Qrendi residents interrupted the inauguration of a newly opened garden by Environment Minister Miriam Dalli to voice their opposition to a large-scale development in the village.
Protesters expressed their frustration with the planning process, saying they had lost confidence in the system.
One resident appealed directly to the minister, saying that the community was desperate for help. Another warned that the proposed project would permanently change the village’s skyline.
Earlier this month, MaltaToday reported that application PC/00053/26 proposes residential development reaching up to 17.5m on vacant land off Triq Dun Nerik Mahoney and Triq San Nikola in Qrendi in close vicinity to a protected garden and tower.
Residents are also warning about the irreversible loss of agricultural land and countryside, particularly as the proposed site represents one of the few remaining undeveloped areas on the outskirts of the village.
Speaking to protestors, Dalli acknowledged residents’ concerns about excessive development in rural communities, adding that she had raised the issue both in parliament and during private discussions. However, she stressed that her position did not allow her to intervene directly in decisions taken by the Planning Authority.
Matthew Farrugia is a journalist at MaltaToday
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