Organisations are objecting for the fourth time to the db Group’s “monstrous project” on the ex-ITS site in Malta.

In a joint statement, the 10 organisations argued that the new plans “do not address the main concerns repeatedly raised over the past three years in relation to this massive and intensive development in a predominantly residential area adjacent to two Natura 2000 sites.”

The public can still object with the Planning Authority to the db Group’s project through this form until this coming Friday, the 12th of February.

The organisations noted that, although the new plans are being portrayed as a downscaling of the initial plans, “there are in fact only minimal changes to the project’s overall volume.”

They explained that the applicant now proposes building two towers instead of one, adding three residential floors to those in the previous plans. Thus, the main points of concern, detailed below, remain totally unaddressed and the amended proposal is still completely out of context with its surroundings.

The organisations said that “the volume of activity it will generate in the area of Pembroke, Swieqi and St Julian’s, as well as the spillover of Paceville into Pembroke, will be unsustainable and will degrade the quality of life for thousands of residents and visitors of the impacted localities.”Moreover, they stated that the infrastructure in the area is currently unsuitable for a development of this scale and the separate proposal of a tunnel leading to this project is objectionable in its own right.”

“To add insult to injury, such a tunnel would be yet another example of infrastructural works for the lucrative benefit of a private investor financed by taxpayers,” the organisations said.

They also pointed out that the new plans do not reduce the aggressive impact on the surrounding natural environment and Natura 2000 sites, “and neither do they allay fears about the potentially disastrous consequences on the adjacent Ghar Harq il-Hamiem, a submerged terrestrial cave system of unique geological and ecological value.”

Also, the plans still pose a threat to the visual integrity of the Grade 2 Scheduled St George’s Barracks, and the fate of the Cold War bunker remains unclear.

The organisations went on to say that “it is inconceivable that a private project with a negative impact of this scale is being proposed on public land, in a case where the Auditor General found multiple irregularities in its transfer to the db Group.”

They noted that the project has attracted a record amount of objections – 15,000 objections over the previous three objection periods – and staunch opposition from all directions, including residents, local councils, business groups, and NGOs. “The fact that Government seems deaf to this unprecedented outcry speaks volumes.”

They concluded by saying that the only sensible way forward is the definitive withdrawal of plans for such an overwhelming development in this residential area.

The organisations in the joint statement are:

1. BirdLife Malta

2. Din l-Art Helwa

3. Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar

4. Friends of the Earth Malta

5. Green House

6. Moviment Graffitti

7. Nature Trust Malta

8. Rota

9. Sustainable Built Environment Malta

10. The Archaeological Society Malta.

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