Minister on Attard development: ‘result of 2006 rationalisation by PN government’

Infrastructure minister Ian Borg has brushed off criticism at the Planning Authority’s approval of a major development project in a field in Attard, arguing that it was the result of the controversial rationalisation of local plans introduced in 2006 by the then PN government.

The proposed development, approved by the PA today, is for the construction of villas, apartments and maisonettes - some of which will rise as high as 17.5 metres – on a site off Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri and Triq Dun Gwann Theuma, close to Ta’ Qali.

The 15,581 square metre site, mostly agricultural land, was rendered developable in the 2006 rationalisation exercise – that the then Labour Opposition had voted against.

The PA’s decision was harshly criticised in Parliament today by Partit Demokratiku MP Marlene Farrugia, who warned that Attard residents will be losing their last remaining green lung.

Borg retorted by noting that the development was only rendered possible thanks to the rationalization exercise introduced by a Nationalist government.

“The rationalization exercise has now taken its course, and it is now being criticised,” he said, weighing up his words before taking a swipe at the Opposition.

“Seeing certain MPs protesting with residents when they themselves had voted for that land to be included in the rationalization exercise back in 2006 says a lot, so it must be taken in consideration,” he said.

Labour made use of illegal billboards in election, PN MP warns

During the debate, Opposition MP Ryan Callus accused the Planning Authority of closing a blind eye to the Labour Party’s use of two illegal billboards in the last election campaign.

He said that he was informed that at least two billboards that were used by the PL were erected without the necessary planning permit.

“Before the election campaign, I had flagged to the PA two billboards without a permit, that had promoted an activity of the Malta Community Chest Fund one day and a private party the next,” he said. “Wonder of wonders, the billboards started promoting the Labour Party as soon as the election was announced.”

Callus said that this contrasts sharply with the PA’s claim in its annual report that 2016 will “be remembered for the unprecedented action by the authorities on illegal billboards”.
“The Planning Authority has become one and the same as the government in the past four years, whereas authorities should by definition be independent.”

Ian Borg retorted that said that the PN had also used illegal billboards, and that  the PL administration had taken harsh action on the illegal use billboards.

‘Need to clamp down on summer excavation works’

In his speech, Opposition MP Karl Gouder warned of the unprecedented number of special permits that have been granted to developers in Sliema and St Julian’s to continue with their excavation works through the annual ‘summer break’.

“Far too many special permits have been given to developers with the excuse of health and safety requirements,” he said. “I feel ashamed when I see tourists walking through certain streets, knowing that they paid money to come to Malta and had to pass through certain development zones.”

The former St Julian’s mayor called for urgent action to beautify his home town and neighbouring Sliema, warning that the sheer amount of construction in them is slowly rendering them unlivable towns.