Yesterday’s decision by the Planning Authority to refuse the application for the intensive development of land in Mosta’s periphery is an indication that hopefully common sense is not completely absent in land use planning.

This was stated by Carmel Cacopardo Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party’s Deputy Chairperson when commenting on yesterday evening’s decision by the Executive Committee of the Planning Authority relative to application PC 039/09 to determine the permissible development on a 38,600 metre square stretch of land in the vicinity of Cumbo Tower in Mosta.

Carmel Cacopardo was present for yesterday’s sitting and on behalf of residents in the area made verbal submissions to the Authority against the application under consideration. Alternattiva Demokratika is aware that this is not the end of the story because of the incorrect decision taken by Parliament way back in 2006 as a result of which around two million square metres of land on the periphery of our towns and villages were given up for development.

It is essential, added Carmel Cacopardo that before this application is further considered or reconsidered, as will inevitably happen, that the social, economic and the environmental impacts of this proposed massive development is adequately considered. The impact of this proposed development needs to be considered as should adequate measures for its mitigation. It is imperative that we remember that the 2011 census had identified that in Mosta, out of 8359 residential units, 16.2% were vacant and 3.2% only occasionally in use. On its own this is more than sufficient reason to discourage this type of development, added Carmel Cacopardo.

In future, it should also be considered that applications similar to the one under consideration should be accompanied by innovative measures of environmental protection,  amongst which those encouraging the sustainable generation and use of solar energy such that each and every one of the residential units created be carbon neutral.

“Yesterday’s Planning Authority decision is a lesson for both Government and Opposition”, concluded Carmel Cacopardo,“that the time for revision of the stupid decision by Parliament way back in 2006 is up, not only in respect of Mosta but also in respect of each and every one of the two million square metres of land which were then given up for development.”

Alternattiva Demokratika is proud that during the past 11 years it has consistently highlighted the matter and takes this opportunity to invite both Government and Opposition to realise that they should join it to address the 2006 decision by Parliament.

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Razzjonalizazzjoni 2006 – tama fl-2017

Id-deċiżjoni tal-bieraħ tal-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar li tirrifjuta l-applikazzjoni biex art fil-periferija tal-Mosta tkun żviluppata b’mod intensiv toffri tama li s-sens komun fl-ippjanar għall-użu tal-art f’pajjiżna għadu ma intilifx għal kollox.

Dan qalu Carmel Cacopardo, Deputat Chairperson ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika huwa u jikkummenta dwar deċiżjoni li ittieħdet il-bieraħ filgħaxija mill-Kumitat Eżekuttiv tal-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar dwar l-applikazzjoni PC 039/09 biex ikun determinat x’tip ta’ żvilupp hu permissibbli fuq art tal-qies ta’ 38,600 metru kwadru ħdejn it-Torri Cumbo l-Mosta. Carmel Cacopardo ‘l bierah kien preżenti għas-seduta tal- Awtoritá u f’isem residenti fl-inħawi tkellem kontra l-applikazzjoni taħt konsiderazzjoni.

Alternattiva Demokratika hi konxja li l-istorja ma tieqafx hawn għax id-deċiżjoni żbaljata favur l-iżvilupp ilha li ttieħdet sa mill-2006 mill-Parlament bħala parti mill-eżerċizzju li bih madwar żewġ miljun metru kwadru ta’ art fil-periferija tal-ibliet u l-irħula tagħna ngħataw għall-iżvilupp.

Huwa neċessarju, żied jgħid Carmel Cacopardo li qabel ma din l-applikazzjoni tkun ikkunsidrata mill-ġdid, kif inevitabilment ser jiġri, ikun ikkunsidrat bir-reqqa l-impatt soċjali, ekonomiku u ambjentali ta’ dan l-iżvilupp massiċċ.

Hemm ħtieġa li jsiru l-istudji neċessarji li jikkwantifika dan l-impatt u li jkunu identifikati miżuri ta’ mitigazzjoni.  Fost oħrajn kwantità għandna niftakru li l-aħħar ċensiment li sar fl-2011 kien żvela li minn 8359 residenza fil-Mosta, 16.2% kienu vakanti u 3.2% oħra kienu użati okkazjonalment. Dan waħdu diġa huwa raġuni valida biżżejjed li minħabba fiha dan it-tip ta’ żvilupp għandu jkun skoraġġit kompla jgħid Carmel Cacopardo.

Għandu jkun ikkunsudrat ukoll li għall-futur, il-kunsiderazzjoni ta’ applikazzjonijiet ta’ din ix-xorta jkunu akkumpanjati minn miżuri innovattivi ta’ ħarsien ambjentali fosthom l-obbligu tal-ġenerazzjoni ta’ elettriku mix-xemx b’tali mod li kull waħda mill-units reżidenzjali permessi tkun carbon neutral.

“Din id-deċiżjoni tal-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar, hi lezzjoni għall-Gvern u l-Oppożizzjoni”, ikkonkluda Carmel Cacopardo,”li wasal iż-żmien li d-deċiżjoni stupida li kien ħa l-Parlament fl-2006 tkun reveduta, mhux biss dwar l-art fil-Mosta iżda dwar kull wieħed miż-żewġ miljuni metru kwadru li dakinnhar ingħataw għall-iżvilupp.”

Alternattiva Demokratika hi kburija li tul dawn l-aħħar ħdax-il sena ma waqfitx titkellem fuq din il-materja u tistieden lill-Gvern u l-Oppożizzjoni biex jiftħu għajnejhom u jingħaqdu magħha biex din id-deċiżjoni ħażina tal-Parliament fl-2006 tkun indirizzata.