I refer to your article on Wednesday, 27 January 2010 relating to the new supermarket proposals in Mosta/Naxxar.
I know that quarry very well when I visit Malta. It is true that it is surrounded by development but there are ways to look at an area of land other than putting a building on it. It seems to be endemic in Malta that every inch of available land is used for development. Why not an open space for trees to be planted to provide a break in the white blocks all over the place and add to the forestry enhancements going on in some areas?
As to the quarry itself, while it is ingenious for the developer to use the excavated land for parking, there must be a strong case for a substantial water reservoir that could take a large part of the runoff from the surrounding area. This would not only avoid further water ending up downstream but will also allow the water to percolate to the lower layers and replenish the underwater galleries. If that is not practicable, then a landscaped water feature can be created after the quarry is filled with appropriate material to an appropriate level.
Even a combination of the two is possible with sideways thinking but not another supermarket.
Substantial development in virgin ground should be halted in Malta unless for ecological purposes. Re-development, however, in the old towns like Birkirkara and Hamrun, should be strongly encouraged to provide areas of open green space in built up areas. This should be a top priority encouraged by MEPA and tax incentives to start to change the look that Malta has taken from a distance. One big block of stone: starting from Pieta to Naxxar Mosta on the Northern side, and Marsa to Marsascala to the south.
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