Yana Mintoff files objection to American University expansion in Bormla

The daughter of former Maltese prime minister Dom Mintoff is objecting to the “privatisation” of public areas in Bormla as a result of the extension of the American University Campus in Bormla.

Yana Mintoff, a former Labour candidate in the 2013 general election, filed her objection as president of the Forum Komunità Bormliza Mintoff, warning that further “expansion” of AUM was premature “considering the very low uptake of the AUM educational services to date, and the lack of any positive multiplier effect on the local community and the country as a whole.”

The Planning Authority is currently assessing plans for the extension of the university’s campus, consisting of an additional floor on the Knights’ building and three new buildings in Bormla’s Dock Number 1 area, including a controversial residential block in St Paul’s square.

Yana Mintoff

Mintoff also presented the organisation’s “strong objections” to the latest plans which foresee additional floors on the historic Knights’ buildings and the development of a student accommodation block in St Paul’s square.

She reprimanded the authorities for the lack of any consultation and for the lack of consideration for the needs of local people. “This last remaining area at the heart of Bormla should be restored for the people and by the people, retaining its historical identity and providing space and opportunities for local entrepreneurs and citizens of all walks of life to meet, work, cooperate and enjoy in a creative and environmentally friendly hub.”

Mintoff said the latest plans would obstruct the Isla bastions and detract from the cultural and unique architectural heritage of the area.
She also objected to “the privatisation of the public staircase and public grounds”, which she said would create more inconvenience to local people.

Isla council demands parking spaces

Concern on parking pressures created by the AUM expansion from the Bormla council has now spilled into neighbouring Isla.

Isla mayor Guiseppe Casha warned that the AUM expansion will increase parking problems in the area to “unprecedented levels” and has demanded free access to a number of parking spaces for Isla residents.

The council is calling on the developers to ensure that only 50% of parking spaces related to the project are reserved for students and AUM staff while a number of the remaining parking spaces are allotted to Isla residents on a “pro rata” basis.

The council has also called on developers to ensure that residents should have full access to walk from Isla to Bormla.

The Bormla council made a similar demand for 50% of all parking spaces included in the project in submissions made last month. But following a meeting with the AUM, it reached an agreement through which the AUM will contribute a minimum of 90 parking spaces reserved for residents in various sites within the locality. These sites will be identified at a later stage after “proper consultation.”