The residents of Qortin Street in Nadur, Gozo, are calling for public support to their “objection of the destruction of land which will inherently be invading our residency.”

The application, is for the “proposed excavation of site to required levels, proposed construction of basement garages to accommodate 74 car spaces and 71 overlying residential apartments having a communal pool with landscaping.” The application was made by Titan Developments, with the expiry date for representations of the 19th of February – PA/00085/2.

In an email, the residents said that the do not want a block of 71 apartments “to take over the large majority of our countryside road.”

“We demand that our street remain part of the countryside as it is,” the residents said. “It is a huge insult that the state of our livelihood is being determined and changed by a Maltese construction company who does not care about the residents of Qortin Street or the fact that they would be destroying the beautiful natural area around us.”

The residents explained that the street is mainly occupied of small houses owned by people who have been living there for generations.

“The proposed development would take away our views of Dahlet Qorrot, Nadur and Qala,” the residents said.

They also argued that, “such a development would be a shame for the residents, for the heritage the street upholds, the incredible fresh air and views, as well as the complete destruction of raw land.”

Residents said that they are objecting on a number of reasons, including that, the site, “while mostly is within development zone, is on arable land and this would create a precedent to destroy existing fields, which would harm local farmers that work in these fields.”

They also highlighted the fact that “the road itself is narrow already, and with the current situation, there is already a parking problem developing, restricting access to the Natura 2000 site (Qortin) found at the end of the road, not to mention that the industrial area would be severely impacted due to reduced access by the parking problem.”

The residents said that, “although in the plan there are spaces for 74 car garages, it is safe to say that every household on average, now has at least 2 or 3 cars.”

“The road does not have access to any sewer system, and this would be detrimental to the arable land left in the area, since the drainage goes into the water table, which is already happening with the current housing situation,” they said.

The building itself, they said, fails to match existing exterior designs, they said, and this would be an eyesore to the current residents.

They explained that, “the area is a quiet area and with an extra 71 apartments, along with a communal pool, this would increase sound pollution to almost unbearable levels, driving down market prices in the area and ruining properties in Qortin Street and its surroundings, including any houses found in Dahlet Qorrot Road.”

They said that it would also greatly undermine the quality of life of the local residents.

Photos: Planning Authority

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