We showed that we are a sensitive government, says Glenn Bedingfield

Government MP Glenn Bedingfield has welcomes the Planning Authority’s decision to refuse a permit for the extension of the American University of Malta, noting that how the situation has been handled shows that, “we are a sensitive government which listens”.

The Planning Authority on Thursday indicated that it would refuse an application for the extension of the University on Dock 1 in Cospicua, overturning the recommendation of the case officer responsible for the application.

Board members cited concerns over the loss of open space due to a proposed office block which would have been built over a recently inaugurated open stairs area, and over the effect that an extension to the Knights’ Building will have on the views of the Senglea fortifications, with photomontages indicating that the new wing would have covered the view of St. Michael’s Gate as seen from Cospicua.

Bedingfield, who is also the head of the Cottonera Rehabilitation Committee, was one of the project’s many critics, having cited similar concerns to those raised by the board during the meeting, and also noting that he had doubts whether the University will ever reach its target of students.

“For a dozen students, this building adjacent to the existing ones is too big. Existing buildings are more than enough for AUM,” Bedingfield has tweeted before the application was heard by the PA.

In a brief video message published after the PA’s decision was made, Bedingfield said; “I happily welcome this decision; we showed that we are a sensitive government which listens – I listened to my constituents, put forward what had to be put forward and am very satisfied that the Planning Authority recognised the arguments of Cottonera residents.”

Since the application’s case officer had initially recommended that permission be granted, the PA board will have to meet again to ratify its refusal, although it can change its decision and approve the project if they feel that the applicant has addressed the reasons of refusal.

A dormitory block, which was initially part of the same application, will be subject to a separate application which must be put forward by the applicant within the coming months.