The Victoria Local Council has said in a statement today that it is prepared to take all necessary action against the Planning Authority over the ongoing saga of the relocation of trees from it-Tokk Square.

The Council said that MEPA had threatened to halt the €1.7 million project, saying that any delays could spell the loss of European funds.

It added that it had always cooperated with MEPA and “provided all information requested in a timely manner.”

“However, it had now become clear,” the Council said, “that MEPA was basing itself on the unfounded allegations and protests of the NGO Flimkien ghal-Ambjent Ahjar, particularly those made by the group’s main exponent, Astrid Vella.”

In response, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) said that it noted the Victoria Local Council’s claim that uprooting the trees at it-Tokk, is a ‘legitimate demand.’

FAA said that “the truth is quite the opposite, as these trees are protected by the Trees and Woodlands Protection Act of 2011, as confirmed by MEPA, therefore the Victoria Local Council is demanding to break the law.”

The NGO pointed out that “even if it were legitimate, the Local Council’s proposal to relocate these trees is now impossible to implement due to the re-enforced concrete cap already in place. The correct method of relocation would be very costly and require the removal of the concrete that has been laid.”

“If there is indeed archaeology beneath the trees, any relocation programme will only cause further destruction of the archaeology which will be damaged in extracting the roots. As regards EU funding, it is precisely the uprooting of the trees contrary to the MEPA decision, confirmed in court, that will cause the EU to withdraw its funding of this project, as confirmed by the EU Environment Infringement Unit on their October 2014 visit,” FAA said.

“This action violates not only Malta’s laws, but also EU Climate Change guidelines. Given that the damage caused by the Local Council’s work has put the trees at risk, the FAA does not rule out taking legal action against the Council if the trees die,” the NGO stated.

“Neither FAA nor indeed MEPA have any interest in stalling the project but every interest in ensuring that the health of residents is the first priority. Mature trees like these are the only means of reducing the health impact of toxic emissions in this heavily-polluted area.,” FAA said.

The NGO continued that Victoria Local Council also accused MEPA of a “gross disservice towards the general public” – “when in fact it is the Council’s actions that will expose Victoria residents to higher rates of asthma, cancer, heart disease, dementia and mental illness.”

FAA said stated, “the existing trees can be incorporated into the project layout, unless other private or commercial forces that have not been declared are at play.”

“In the rest of the world, modernisation means looking at ways to incorporate existing trees into projects, not eliminate them. Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has repeatedly offered the Victoria Local Council the services of Ian Lansley, an international authority on trees, in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the project.”

FAA concluded, “cities all over Europe are carrying out projects to plant millions of trees due to the health and well being that these trees give to the community, benefits worth thousands of euros in health benefits alone.”

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