St George’s Parish has issued its strong response to the proposed Master Plan for St George’s Square, Victoria, which was recently published on the Planning Authority website. PA/00284/25 – Described as “A Master Plan defining the extent and design guidelines for outdoor catering areas at Pjazza San Gorg, Rabat (Gozo).”

Writing on social media the parish argued that, “no one was consulted on this ‘masterplan’ and the result is clear – instead of solving existing problems, it will be creating more problems!”

It insisted that “this is a masterplan that proposes the impossible, if not also goes against Transport Malta’s own policies.”

St George’s Parish highlighted in particular that:

“This masterplan proposes that ambulances, hearses and weddings will go through Charity Street – impossible! This road has a culvert; where cars of a certain size cannot pass. This means that if this masterplan is passed, funerals, weddings and ambulances will no longer have the right to enter St George’s Square.

“Triq San Guzepp is the only road through which an ambulance or hearse can enter. Today it is already difficult to pass due to abusive occupation, and if it becomes pedestrian, it will be impossible!

“How can a masterplan ignore the ugliness that leaves the most frequented square in Gozo filled with tents and umbrellas of every colour and shape? Why doesn’t it propose policies that help business owners comply?

“The existing masterplan has never been seriously enforced, so how can we believe that the new one will be enforced? Who will be responsible? Who will remove the bollards when necessary? Today, even the authorities do not agree on who is responsible, and the people end up running from office to office, fighting and paying for what is rightfully theirs! The Local Council, the Police and Transport Malta have all tried to work something out. But no serious direction has ever been given.”

St George’s Parish stated that “despite meetings, emails and even a direct request from the Minister for Gozo, the Ministry of Lands has done nothing. We asked what the procedures are for funerals and weddings to enter where they have a right- and nothing!”

The Parish went on to say that “in recent days, despite no one being consulted, we have tried to arrange a meeting with the Minister of Lands Stefan Zrinzo, and even Gozo and Planning Minister Clint Camilleri has offered to coordinate it. However, so far there is no response.”

“It’s time for us to go public,” said St George’s Parish. “This is not a simple masterplan, but a plan that deprives the people of their rights – We ask you to at least listen to us.”The Opposition Spokesperson for Gozo Alex Borg, has voiced his support with the Parish, highlighting the protest meeting held last year in St George’s Square.

“From that protest, the Government’s reaction was a single consultation meeting in which the outcome was: “we’ll make a new masterplan, then I’ll inform you.” The masterplan was proposed, but without anyone being consulted,” said Borg.

“The Parish of St George, has raised several strong points as to why the new masterplan does not work. At first glance, the new plan shows that the square will be further stifled, without serving anyone in reality,” he said.

Borg stressed that “above all, St. George’s Square is not only loved by those of the Parish, but it is a square that all Gozitans and Maltese love, and rightly as the parish stated, it belongs to the people.”

“Because it belongs to the people, I join the voices for a worthy and proper consultation,” said Borg. “The parish can be said to take care of important events in the lives of many individuals, including at a delicate moment such as a funeral. It seems clear that a funeral car will find it extremely difficult to enter as the plan is proposed.”

The Opposition Spokesperson for Gozo concluded by saying, “I therefore appeal to the Government and all entities: listen to the people, and I appeal for a solution that makes sense.”

File photos

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