People not MEPA should decide on high-rise development, NGO says

Environmental NGO Din l-Art Helwa today said that the recently adopted policy for high-rise buildings is clearly a case of MEPA reacting to an unjustified need for high-rise arising from political pressure to appease certain lobby groups. 

“As recommended by MEPA's own advisors, the ultimate question of whether Malta should embark on this journey for high rise or not should ultimately be decided by the citizens of this country and not by a select few,” it said.

“Statistical data should have formed part of this public consultation. Sadly, this is not the case.”

In reference to the new policy for high-rise buildings that has been published by MEPA following government approval, DLH said “it is ironic that the recently issued Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED), which is intended to replace the Structure Plan and provide the vision for Malta until 2020, states that no further dwelling units are required and questions the need for further office development.”

The NGO added that this is clearly a case of MEPA reacting to an unjustified need for high-rise arising from political pressure to appease certain lobby groups. 

“As recommended by MEPA's own advisors, the ultimate question of whether Malta should embark on this journey for high rise or not should ultimately be decided by the citizens of this country and not by a select few,” it said.

“Statistical data should have formed part of this public consultation. Sadly, this is not the case.”

DLH questioned how the basic condition to ensure that such high-rise buildings are of a high-quality design will be fulfilled.

While noting that a proliferation of tall buildings of mediocre quality would completely destroy the Maltese landscape, “there is absolutely no emphasis on quality design in the current proposals for the new planning regime which is expected to be in place following the proposed removal of the environment function from MEPA.”

Moreover, it said that the current experience of tall buildings in Malta, such as the existing building in Paola near the Addolorata cemetery, gives no reassurance that tall buildings will either improve or regenerate the surrounding areas.

The NGO also questioned the unexpected inclusion of Mriehel as a location for high-rise buildings.

This area was not included by MEPA in the draft Policy in the drafts it submitted for public consultation. The inclusion of a new area without first presenting it to the public (and environment organisations) for comments is unacceptable and undermines the whole public consultation process which MEPA has successfully developed over the past decade.

DLH requested that this area should be withdrawn entirely from the adopted high-rise Policy and that a separate public consultation process be carried out on whether or not Mriehel should become a location for high-rise buildings.

Moreover, the NGO asked why MEPA has now reduced the site area required for medium rise by the private sector outside the identified strategic zones, from 5,000 sqm to 4,000 sqm. This is a significant change and the reasons for it should be adequately justified to the public.