Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has said that it is extremely concerned by Planning Authority Chairman Martin Saliba’s “outrageous claim” that “development is determined by the market.”

FAA stated that “this tops a list of other troubling statements which will have a broad impact on public perception and developers’ attitudes towards planning matters.”

FAA argued that in Gozo the number of apartments has increased by almost 300%, as projects grew disproportionately large, destroying the character of Gozo’s villages, with six-storey high, blank party walls ruining Gozo’s skylines.

“Most of this development is purely speculative, with no regard for the negative impact on Gozitans’ quality of life,” it said.

The NGO stressed that “Gozo’s countryside is also under siege. Out of 1,314 permits issued in 2020, 223 or 17% were on ODZ land, twice the rate of similar permits in Malta and a fifth of all permits in Gozo.”

“Urbanisation is rapidly spreading beyond village cores,” said FAA. “The loss of beautiful landscapes and the illegal closure of country paths is a blow to Gozo’s touristic potential which depends on nature-oriented holidaymakers.”

“It is deplorable, that as a planner, Martin Saliba imagines urban planning to be about the mere processing and rubber stamping of permits, rather than the act of diligently plotting a sustainable course for the future needs of the Maltese Islands, their people, economy, heritage, and natural environment, whilst ensuring that they all thrive in harmony,” said FAA.

It pointed out that in the Development Planning Act 2016 it is clearly stated that: “It shall be the duty of the Government to enhance the quality of life for the benefit of the present and future generations, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, through a comprehensive sustainable land use planning system.”

FAA highlighted that the Planning Authority is the regulatory body with a remit to ensure that Malta’s current construction explosion is reined in to avoid jeopardising residents’ rights and interests and those of other economic sectors.

FAA went on to say that, Saliba claims to be “moving Malta into a modern era,” yet he speaks with an “outdated 1970s mindset that development is Malta’s only resource, the mantra of Malta’s developer-bankrolled politicians.”

“As a matter of fact, it is tourism which is the pillar of Malta’s economy, along with financial and IT service,” FAA said. “All of these are being undermined by over-development.”

Saliba mentions other Mediterranean locations, the NGO said, however, he failed to note that towns like Barcelona, Portofino, Dubrovnik and Taormina have not allowed the wholesale uglification permitted in Malta and Gozo.

FAA added that Saliba’s states, “we live in a democracy and the right to property is safeguarded” but fails to add that residents also have the right to a healthy quality of life.

“Even before sustainability became a popular ideal, common interest has always come before the right to construct, as established in Malta’s planning policies and going all the way back to Roman law,” said FAA.

“His claims that there is now more control in development and ODZ are belied by the facts,” stated FAA. “In 2019 alone the PA EPC committee approved 27 permits recommended for refusal by Case Officers. This figure was greater than approximately 22 case officer recommendations which were overturned in the four previous years together. Things are getting worse, not better.”

FAA argued that “dismissing the protection of heritage as sentimental nostalgia, not only violates our Constitution and our identity, but it also undermines our tourism and other industries.”

“Martin Saliba is in a position of power and a close adviser to Minister for the Environment Aaron Saliba. It is extremely worrying that the future of Malta’s environment, heritage and quality of life is being steered by a person with such a misguided, outmoded, and damaging mindset,” it said. “A mindset intent on promoting uncontrolled development to enrich cronies, at the cost of the well-being of our islands’ residents and long-term economy.”

Photo: FAA

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