Updated | Appeal against Townsquare skyscraper at start of March

The Planning Authority’s tribunal will on 2 March start hearing an appeal against the Townsquare skycraper that has been approved in Qui Si Sana, Sliema.

The date was set during a meeting between the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal and the lawyers of the parties appealing the 38-storey tower – namely the Sliema local council, a group of environmental NGOs, and the Environment and Resources Authority.

By the end of February, the parties must draw up a list of witnesses and present any expert reports and affidavits that will be used to the tribunal. The appeal will be spread out over three to four session.

The Tribunal also decided to convene on 2 March to start listening to a separate appeal against a high-rise complex in Mriehel that has been proposed by the Gasan and Tumas groups.

The Tribunal, a quasi-judicial body, has a final say on appeals presented against decisions taken by the planning authority boards. It is chaired by planner Martin Saliba, and also includes Freeport chairman Robert Sarsero and lawyer and PL candidate Simon Micallef Stafrace.

The Planning Authority in August approved the 38-storey tower, the brainchild of the Gasan developers’ group. However, it has faced harsh criticism from the Opposition, environmentalists, the Sliema council and residents.

Through its lawyer Robert Abela, the PA had tried to stop the appeal, arguing that the Sliema local council, ERA and the green NGOs had already been represented on the PA board when the project was approved and therefore had “no right to appeal” the PA’s approval of the project. However, the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal last week approved the appeal.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA), Friends of the Earth Malta, Ramblers Association of Malta and the Qui si-Sana Residents Association – four of the NGOs appealing the Planning Authority’s (PA) approval of the Townsquare and Mriehel high-rises - had vowed to continue fighting to protect the environment, despite the Planning Authority’s attempt to stop them from exercising their right to appeal.

“As NGOs we represent thousands of our members who hold Malta’s environment, heritage and the health of its citizens at heart. NGOs are the voice of the people and of future generations, appealing in order to protect residents’ rights to liveable towns, where major projects such as these are preceded by full studies taking into account the impact of increased traffic, the load on existing infrastructure and social impact, not to mention the towers’ visual impact on Valletta’s World Heritage skyline and the vista of Mdina,” the NGOs said in a statement.

Din l-Art Helwa – which has filed a separate appeal – said that the skyscraper is no longer just a Sliema or St Julian’s issue, but rather a national issue.

“The physical and aesthetic impact of the Townsquare skyscraper and Mriehel skyscrapers will impact on the beauty of Valletta and Mdina,” the NGO said. “It is a national issue because if we’ve reached this point, tomorrow this can also happen next door to you. Would you be ok with it, then?

“These over-sized developments do not serve any public interest. They are just speculative ventures to maximize profits for the few.”

Townsquare developers ‘willing to take into account public concerns’

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Townsquare developers told the Malta Independent that they are willing to take into consideration public concerns about the project.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, who last week urged the developers to downscale the project, welcomed the developers’ reaction as a step in the right direction.

“The Townsquare developers have said that they are ready to listen to the public, which is a step in the right direction and in the best interests of Sliema residents, as well as everyone who is concerned at the exaggerated project,” the PN said in a statement. “With goodwill, the developers can fulfill their ambitions without leaving irreversible environmental damage on Sliema and Valletta.”