AD condemns government’s ‘obstinacy’ in ruining Zonqor, developers praise decision

Alternattiva Demokratika has condemned the government’s 'obstinate' decision to make use of 18,000 square metres of land outside development zones at Zonqor Point for the ‘American University of Malta’ project.

"While it is positive that part of the campus will be sited in the former Dock number 1, it is unacceptable that 18,000 square meters of ODZ land will be taken up,” Cassola said. “Saying that garigue land is abandoned is very misleading, since garigue land is per se' naturally an area of natural importance. If necessary the garigue land can be restored and nature will take care of the rest.”

The reduced Zonqor site will include three faculties and the dormitories, with the buildings rising to a maximum height of five storeys, half of what is permissible under the floor-to-area ratio policy, while the foreshore will remain untouched.

AD deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo warned that siting student dormitories at Zonqor Point will have undesirable impacts on the Marsaskala residentss similar to those experienced by Swieqi residents as a result of the presence of English language students in the locality.

The Malta Developers’ Association praised the decision as a “tangible compromise” that makes “intelligent use of land and public property”.

“This minimises the environmental impact and helps to achieve a regeneration of an abandoned and neglected property in Cospicua as well as creating a modern centre of learning in Marsascala, which is to be built on government land earmarked for development and taking up only 18,000 square metres of adjacent land,” the MDA said in a statement.

“This is a project that, without doubt, will leave a highly positive social impact on the people of this area. This would mean that the quality of life of society in the south of Malta will improve.”

The developers’ association added that it would be on the look-out to ensure that the project will be solely for the purpose of a university and not a residential or commercial project. It insisted with government that the conditions imposed in the contract with developers Sadeen be respected and that no room is left for public land to be used for speculative purposes.

Despite all this, the MDA will be on the look-out to ensure that this project will be solely for the purpose of a university and not a residential or commercial project. The MDA therefore insists with the Government that the conditions imposed in the contract should be respected and not leave any room for public land to be used for speculative purposes.