Sliema Residents’ Association calls for revision of Policy Map

They claim the ‘Building height limitations’ outlined in the SJ3 have been wilfully misinterpreted in order to encourage development.

The SRA say that no one at MEPA appears to know the “planned population of Sliema” in terms of residents, visitors and traffic if the SJ3 plan is fully exploited. The absence of any forecast leads to an inability to plan shared facilities and ensure that they provide greater capacity than the foreseeable requirements. “The evidence on the ground is that there is no serious attempt to anticipate demand or congestions in Sliema.”

As a result of congestion Sliema air is polluted, the power supply fluctuates, roads are jammed and frequently closed and parking is lacking the SRA said expressing concern that 25% of properties throughout the town are empty. “The low lying buildings of the 1940s Sliema housed about 24,000 while now, despite so many houses being converted into flats, the population is only around 13,000.”

The SRA expresses concern over the current laws binding SJ3 and that the NHLP cannot be changed as it “favours speculators at the expense of many residents.”

The SRA has called for a revision of the SJ3 to “uphold policies and good intentions of the NHLP” to encourage sustainable development.

“MEPA reform cannot come too soon, but it may well come too late for most of Sliema unless strategic action is taken to prevent further harm.”