FAA urges authorities to take note of policies calling for protection of Wied Għomor

Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar has called on the authorities to uphold the Planning Authority’s original decision on Wied Għomor, and to take heed of the policies calling for the area’s protection.

“On 13 February the final hearing of a refusal against a development application will be heard by the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal. After that, the tribunal will decide whether or not to overturn the Planning Commission’s original decision for the refusal of a massive 100-unit development, a catering establishment and the creation of a road from San Ġwann through the valley into Victoria Gardens,” the FAA said.

“The site of the proposed development lies partly in a disused quarry which is slowly being reclaimed by nature and partly in Wied Għomor’s protected green area. The site is completely surrounded by terraced fields and rubble walls, providing a rare unobstructed agricultural landscape in the built-up areas of San Ġwann, St Julians and Swieqi,” FAA said.

“As the only open green space in this urbanised region, Wied Għomor is being regularly targeted by developers with numerous applications for development being sought in spite of its protected status. The planning policies concerning Wied Għomor specifically call for the regeneration of its degraded areas and state that any ‘development or activity that would jeopardise the protected status or the conservation of the valley will not be permitted.’ Environment Minister Jose Herrera had even applied for the designation of Wied Għomor as a public domain zone - to be preserved for posterity and for future generations.”

ENGOs, residents and the local councils of Swieqi, San Ġwann and St Julian’s had welcomed the original refusal which had given hope of some respite from the development blitz in our remaining open spaces.