Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, has, through Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo participated in the public consultation on the document entitled 'Commercialisation of Sports Facilities : Moving towards the financial self sustainability of sports organisations in Malta and Gozo.

The consultation process will be concluded today 31 March. Alternattiva Demokratika's submission by Cacopardo was the following, "while one understands and agrees with the ultimate aim of the document on the commercialisation of sports facilities, I consider that there arise serious possibilities of abuse in the manner in which the proposal could be implemented."

"The document lays considerable emphasis on the financial analysis of the proposal but there is no reference to the consideration of environmental impacts and/or impacts on residential areas," he said.

"Notwithstanding the financial feasibility of a specific proposal it could just the same be unacceptable in principle due to the following:

1) it being located to close to the coast,

2) it being too close to a residential area,

3) its negative impacts on historical or natural heritage,

4) its lying Outside the Development Zone."

AD said that this should be addressed very early in the examination of proposals submitted not just to avoid unnecessary expenses but more to ensure that damaging proposals are nipped in the bud.

"It is not a sufficient precaution that the consultation document subjects proposals to a development permit. The parameters defining the acceptability or otherwise of a project should be determined very early in the day," AD concluded.

Permalink: AD on Government proposals for commercialisaton of sports facilities