Shadow minister condemns proposals to develop Swieqi valley

Shadow environment minister Marthese Portelli has come out strongly against proposals on the table to develop parts of Wied Ghomor, the valley separating Swieqi and San Gwann.

“While parts of Wied Ghomor are ugly, that should in no way be used as an excuse to construct over the only green area that remains for residents of San Gwann, Swieqi and Tal-Ibrag,” Portelli said in her parliamentary adjournment. “Rather, rehabilitation should mean that they should – as much as possible - be restored to their original state.”

The abandoned quarry in the valley is being earmarked for an old people’s home, and an abandoned cow farm in the area was until recently earmarked for a tourist village. The developer behind the latter proposal, Roderick Fenech, has recently went back to the drawing board after giving up on his plans for a tourist village in the valley.

She argued that Swieqi, Ibrag, and San Gwann – part of the 9th district she was elected to Parliament from – are heavily populated and that the valley is the last remaining green left for them to enjoy.

“Moreover, Wied Ghomor is a scheduled heritage area, according to local plans,” she said.