Charlot Zahra Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) has objected to the new plans presented for the Townsquare project, which will be built on the premises of the former Union Club in the heart of Sliema, branding them as “unsustainable”.
Addressing a press conference in Tower Road, Sliema, AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio insisted that the proposed changes to the Townsquare development in Sliema were “not sufficient” to protect the rights of residents would “further increase environmental problems such as pollution and traffic congestion in Sliema”.
“We have objected to MEPA on the proposed development on the grounds of overdevelopment and the overstretching of services, negative impact on traffic and more air and noise pollution. This will be detrimental to people’s health,” the AD Chairperson insisted.
AD was not against the concept of Townsquare, however the proposed development was “far too extensive,” Briguglio added.
Even though the 32-storey tower was now being reduced to 23 storeys, this was “far higher” than the 15 storeys that were originally indicated, the AD chairperson added.
Besides, another block in the proposed development would have an increased height from four to seven storeys.
Studies commissioned by the developers showed that the development would result in “further shading of parts of the Qui-si-sana promenade, the sea and the rocky foreshore,” Briguglio complained.
This, he added, would have “a major impact” on the landscape, which was already “heavily impacted by the Fort Cambridge and MIDI development close-by.”
On his part, AD spokesperson for Sustainable Development and Local Government Carmel Cacopardo explained how Malta already had around 60,000 vacant built-up units.
Furthermore, this development pointed toward “more unsustainable” practices, the AD spokesperson insisted.
In particular, traffic congestion was likely to increase, “and would likely put Malta in infringement of EU directives on issues relative to the quality of air,” Cacopardo added.
Sliema residents could expect “more pollution and traffic gridlocks resulting from MIDI, Fort Cambridge, Townsquare and other development which is being approved on a piecemeal basis, confirming that MEPA lacks holistic vision,” he lamented.
Cacopoardo called on MEPA and Transport Malta to “inform the public where all this traffic shall pass from. “The Sliema Local Council’s silence on this issue is not helping matters,” he insisted.
A demonstration of this was the fact that since the Townsquare project opened, traffic in Sliema has been further congested, with journalists spending almost 20 minutes in traffic to arrive to the location of the press conference.
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