AD urges Planning Authority not to green-light construction on Mosta agricultural land

Green Party Alternattiva Demokratika has urged the Planning Authority not to allow construction on a patch of agricultural land in Mosta.

The PA will on Monday convene to discuss a proposal that, if accepted, will permit the construction of buildings with three floors and a semi-basement on the land adjoining the Cumbo Tower.

The land in question used to be located outside development zones, but is now legally developable by virtue of the controversial rationalization scheme of 2006.

AD deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo urged the Labour government to remain consistent with the stance it had taken in Opposition in 2006 when its MPs had voted against the rationalization scheme in Parliament.

“We invite the Labour Party to be consistent and take the necessary steps, if it has not changed its mind as a result of being elected to government,” he said.

Cacopardo warned that there are other vast stretches of land which were included in the 2006 rationalisation scheme but have not yet been built upon, such as land in Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri on the periphery of Attard.

He also questioned why the construction of more residences in Mosta is even being considered when the 2011 census had identified that 16.2% of the residential units in the town are vacant.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, present at the press conference, recounted how Joseph Muscat had in 2006 wanted to address a mass protest against the government’s rationalization scheme.

“Now that the PL is in government and in a position to save what has not yet been built, it is reversing its position and allowing the rape of land to increase, to the detriment of the health and quality of life of residents,” FAA coordinator Astrid Vella said.

She noted that the PA last year started to approve permits for high-rise projects, but at the same time issued a record number of ODZ permits.

“This proves the fallacy of the politicians’ mantra, repeated ad nauseam, that ‘it is better to build up rather than build out’, deplorably highlighting the dishonesty of the Maltese planning system.”