‘We can’t go on like this’ | Astrid Vella
The Planning Authority is approving more development projects than ever before – specially in Gozo. But Flimkien Għall-Ambjent Aħjar president ASTRID VELLA argues that developers have now ‘crossed a line’; and that people will no longer put up with the loss of their townscapes on such a massive scale
20 April 2021, 7:13am
by Raphael Vassallo
In a recent press release, environmental NGOs - including FAA – raised the alarm over a 300% increase in construction and development in Gozo: arguing that this “is the result of the present climate where developers are emboldened by the ‘elasticisation of planning policies’.” Can you elaborate on that? How have Malta’s planning policies been manipulated, to permit development on such a large scale?
The widening of a residential road in Żebbuġ last week went against all road policies and Infrastructure Malta should have consulted with the Planning Authority beforehand, environmentalists are insisting.
On Wednesday, IM workers, escorted by the police, descended on Triq il-Fraxxnu to clear part of a fruit garden to widen the road. Residents and the local council said they were unaware of the impending works, with independent councillor Steve Zammit Lupi sitting on a wall in the path of excavators to highlight his opposition.
IM said the works on the 70-metre road “which had never been completely formed to its actual width” did not require a planning permit and it had obtained approval from the Transport Authority.
BCA to enforce safety cards
BICC chairperson Charles Buhagiar said the Building and Construction Agency will eventually be enforcing the safety cards protocol. We are hoping this protocol will become mandatory, including health and safety cards as being obligatory for people entering a site,” Buhagiar said.
“This course does not, in any way, exempt contractors from legal obligations related to health and safety. The course is only meant to highlight risks on-site. The contractor is still obliged to take measures to make sure the workplace is safe for everyone,” Buhagiar said.
Malta Developers Association academy chief Ray Abela briefly described the e-construct certification course offered by the MDA.