‘Not this master plan’– environmental organisations hold protest in St Julian’s
A protest organised by a number of environmental organisations was held yesterday in front of the ‘Love’ monument in St Julian’s. Those attending the protest were objecting to the master plan for Paceville as proposed by the government.
Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Moviment Graffitti, Front Ħarsien ODZ, Ramblers Association, Youth for the Environment, Nature Trust, Żminijietna – Voice of the Left and Friends of the Earth Malta all took part.
“While the idea of a master plan is welcome, the drawing up of the Paceville master plan was fundamentally flawed since only the developers’ proposals were taken into account. Communities in the area were completely ignored notwithstanding the massive impact it would have on them and the environment. Thus, this master plan should be scrapped and the related process halted immediately. A new master plan should be drawn up, taking into account the needs of residents and the environment, and in line with Maltese law. A master plan should also be on a national level so that it truly reflects the overall needs of our
country,” protestors say.
Addressing the protest, Andre Callus from Moviment Graffiti said that this master plan, if approved, will create a precedent for future applications. He said that this master plan cannot be simply amended, but needs to go back to the drawing board. “The government is a simple signature
away from taking away residences in the area to hand them to a few developers,” he told the small crowd.
Many of those attending the protest carried placards with the face of the Planning Authority’s Executive Chairman Johann Buttigieg depicted with a halo on his head, “the saint of the environment”.
Others had placards saying “from the frying pan into the fire” or “domino destruction”.
Among those present was Dean Camilleri, the same man who went on a hunger strike in front of Castille to protest against noise pollution in Pembroke and the St Georges Bay area.