Paceville is a textbook example of unsustainable development – Church Environment Commission

● Church hits out against gentlemen’s clubs in master plan submissions

The Church Environment Commission (KA) yesterday hit out against gentlemen’s clubs in its public consultation submissions regarding the Paceville master plan.

The Commission argues that there has been a “proliferation of gentleman’s clubs in the area. High-quality branding of the area which the master plan tries to achieve and so-called ‘gentleman’s clubs’ just do not go together. Besides, this phenomenon jars with the efforts our country is making to give women the respect and dignity they deserve. Browsing through in-flight magazines on flights to Malta sometimes gives one the impression that Paceville is a red-light district and not an entertainment area for all”.

As such, the Church Environment Commission recommends that the master plan revisit the current uses of commercial establishments in the area.

They have also called for the revision of the controversial master plan and insisted that the plan placed economic gain before the wellbeing of residents.

“(KA) sadly notes that the proposed Paceville master plan seems to imply that the appalling conditions of the locality it is supposedly addressing are standalones and not the various related symptoms of a common cause: unsustainable development.

“Therefore, one would have imagined that the PA and the government would be wise enough to identify the real cause of the problems, learn from past experiences and ultimately avoid repeating the same mistakes.

“The master plan refers to an integrated approach in the whole process. The KA cannot understand how such a concept can be reconciled with a methodology that has failed to acknowledge the importance of actively consulting the residents at the earlier stages of the drafting of the master plan.

“It is obvious that the master plan’s target is once again motivated by unbridled development aimed at maximizing economic gain over and above the wellbeing of residents and the population in general. In fact, it seems some developers still prefer it to be flexible enough to allow them to build wherever they see an opportunity to do so.

“The plan should therefore be revised, after having taken into consideration all the concerns expressed during the consultation process, particularly those coming from members of the communities directly affected by the development.”

As for land reclamation, the Commission feels that, should this damage the rich marine biodiversity, it is to be ruled out altogether. Moreover, in accordance with a decision taken by Parliament close to six months ago, every effort should be taken to protect the local coast in every aspect for the benefit of present and future generations.

Of significant relevance to the Paceville master plan are three of a number of proposals put forward by the KA during a conference it organized in December of last year, namely: • That the authorities carry out a national study on the demand and supply of Maltese properties and the fiscal and economic environment that has a bearing on them. In the context of the Paceville master plan, this study assumes greater importance. • That the government and all authorities should enforce regulations without fear or favour in a just manner with all. The master plan is not indispensable for the enforcement of law and order in the locality. • That the government carries out the necessary reforms in how it leases out or disposes of property belonging to the whole nation and to ensure transparency in the granting of environment-related tenders. Moreover, one expects that the developments which will benefit from such master plan should contribute to a fund that will upgrade the infrastructure and pay for expropriations that will ultimately benefit such developments.

“The KA sees the drawing up of a master plan for the locality as an opportunity to challenge the predominant model of development and wealth that puts profit before any consideration of the common good and the wellbeing of communities and their surroundings. It is an opportunity for a regeneration of Paceville that puts sensitivity to social needs, social justice and environmental responsibility as the foundations of economic development. Will we, once again, miss the opportunity?”