NGOs, local councillors and residents oppose Wied Għomor development

NGOs, local councillors and residents have come together in opposition of the development of an old people’s home in the heart of Wied Għomor, with speakers highlighting the area’s ecological importance to the surrounding over-developed localities and Environment Minister Jose Herrera’s previous recommendations for the land to be considered as part of the public domain.

On 1 March, the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal will decide on the development of a retirement home with 100 housing units, a restaurant, a chapel, and other amenities.

The proposed facility would have two floors above ground and another two underground. A new road cutting through the valley from San Ġwann to Victoria Gardens would also be constructed.

The Planning Authority Board had unanimously rejected the application in May 2016 but the applicant filed an appeal.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, activist Michael Brigulio claimed that the development runs contrary to SPED (Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development), explaining that regulations clearly state that all alternative options must be exhausted. “They did not even bother to conduct one study,” Brigulio said.

He also quoted Environment Minister Jose Herrera, who had previously recommended that the area of Wied Għomor, which he had described as a green lung, be protected and listed under public domain.

Swieqi Mayor Noel Muscat

highlighted the ecological concerns of removing the last piece of virgin land in the area while also addressing the issues the community is facing with rapid over development.

Marica Bayliss, the deputy mayor of San Ġwann, said that the area would be killed along with the “future of our children” should the development be approved.

Flimkien Ambjent Aħjar warned that the development’s approval could lead to an ugly precedent in the area, with a number of applications being regularly submitted in the area.

“In fact we are seeing applications for old people’s homes on ODZ all around the island, solely because you are able to apply for extra floors. This is pure land speculation.”

It was also stressed that development on ODZ land, as per regulation, should only be take place when development is of national importance.

MP Kirsty Debono, who runs on the ninth district, was in attendance, as was St Julian’s deputy mayor Albert Buttigieg.