The Nationalist Party has described yesterday’s decision by the Planning Authority to approve the permit for the development of a “rural room” in the area of ta’ Muxi in Qala, as “scandalous and obscene.”

In a statement in said that the decision “sealed the planning legacy of the Government as one that “manoeuvres to destroy the natural environment and thwarts the laws that are supposed to protect it.”

The PN went on to say that, “while yesterday, Marthese Portelli, as the representative of the opposition, along with a minority of three other members voted against the rape of the countryside in Qala, 7 members of the Board designated by the Government chose to vote in favour.”

“This created a serious precedent with irreparable consequences for the environment not only in Qala but for all our country,” it said.

The PN added that the “site is in an area of high landscape sensitivity and is contrary to a number of policy requirements.” It added that the Board “also completely ignored the valid objections that had been raised by the ERA and from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.”

“Yesterday PN took the side of the residents of Qala wanting to protect the environment in Gozo and Malta. The Government has made a decision to the contrary,” it said.

Permalink: PA’s decision to approve Qala permit is “scandalous and obscene” – PN