Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party expressed its support for the protest this morning by St. Julian’s residents against overdevelopment of the village. An AD delegation led by Chairperson Michael Briguglio and Deputy Chairperson Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer participated in the activity.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, “It is about time to stop overdevelopment at St. Julian’s. Various unsustainable developments are being proposed, and we support St. Julian’s residents who want to reclaim public space and prevent the village from further uglification. A case in point is the proposed development at Portomaso. The proposed development should be refused by MEPA. The simple reason that it violates the previous approved development – which in itself was controversial – should be enough for the MEPA board to immediately turn down the application. The proposed development will result in further construction on the coast in an overdeveloped area. If the MEPA board approves development against its own previous approvals, the board members should resign.”
Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer, AD Deputy Chairperson, said, “I am utterly shocked and disgusted at what is going to happen to St. Julian’s if the irresponsible developers who want to destroy the last (supposedly) protected and open spaces are not stopped. The most annoying and alarming thing is that all this is with the blessing of MEPA. The only area around Portomaso which was originally supposed to remain unbuilt will eventually be built, and to crown it all there have been applications to build blocks of flats in Spinola square. All this is shameful and is an act of vandalism towards St. Julian’s and its residents. I wonder what the Local Council is doing and if there were any objections from their part.”