Momentum opposes the proposed project in Ħaż-Żabbar: “Residents are right to feel angry and frustrated”

Momentum is expressing its strong opposition to the proposed project in Ħaż-Żabbar and stands in solidarity with the residents, who understandably feel angry and frustrated. This case reflects the realities being experienced in several localities across Malta, where villages are losing their character piece by piece. People are questioning how we ended up in this situation.

Matthew Agius, executive member of Momentum, said: “What we are seeing today is a direct consequence of political decisions taken in 2013 and 2017, when policies were introduced allowing hotels and elderly homes to add two additional floors wherever they are located, even next to sensitive urban areas. These decisions opened the door to the excessive construction that is negatively impacting people’s quality of life.”

“It is ironic that two Members of Parliament, Carmelo Abela and Edward Zammit Lewis, who formed part of the governments that introduced these extensions, are today opposing them, despite having supported them in the past. Even Minister Clyde Caruana and MEP Alex Agius Saliba are now admitting that these policies were harmful.”

Momentum proposes that when permits for additional floors are granted, they should be terraced, with each floor set back to reduce visual impact. The blank side walls left exposed after such extensions are aesthetically unpleasant. The design of new buildings must address these issues, and where necessary, the building should also be set back from the sides.

Momentum is calling for a full and transparent public consultation on these policies, similar to the one being conducted regarding the two-storey extensions for hotels. However, until the consultation is concluded and a new policy is established, all related applications must be halted immediately to prevent further irreversible damage.

Momentum will continue to support residents and local councils in defending our villages, our heritage, and the quality of life that belongs to everyone.

Momentum kontra l-proġett propost f’Ħaż-Żabbar. Ir-residenti għandhom raġun li jħossuhom irrabjati u frustrati.

Momentum qed tesprimi l-oppożizzjoni tagħha għall-proġettpropost f’Ħaż-Żabbar u tinsab f’solidarjetà mar-residenti li, ġustament, qed iħossuhom irrabjati u frustrati. Dan il-każ jirrifletti realtajiet li qed jiġu esperjenzati f’għadd ta’ lokalitajiet madwar Malta, fejn l-irħula qed jitilfu l-karattru tagħhom biċċa biċċa. In-nies qed jistaqsu kif wasalna f’din is-sitwazzjoni.

Matthew Agius, membru tal-eżekuttiv fi ħdan Momentum, qal: “Dak li qed naraw illum huwa konsegwenza diretta ta’ deċiżjonijiet politiċi li ttieħdu fl-2013 u fl-2017, meta nħolqu policies li ppermettew li lukandi u djar tal-anzjani jiżdiedu b’żewġ sulari addizzjonali kull fejn jinsabu, anke ħdejn żoni urbani sensittivi. Dawn id-deċiżjonijiet fetħu l-bieb għall-bini eċċessiv li qed jħalli impatt negattiv fuq il-kwalità tal-ħajja tan-nies.”

“Hija ironija li żewġ Membri Parlamentari, Carmelo Abela u Edward Zammit Lewis, li kienu parti mill-gvernijiet li introduċew dawn l-estensjonijiet, illum qegħdin jopponuhom minkejja li huma stess kienu appoġġawhom fil-passat. Saħansitra, anke l-Ministru Clyde Caruana u l-MEP Alex Agius Saliba qed jammettu li dawn il-policies huma ħżiena.”

Momentum jipproponi li meta jingħataw permessi għal żieda fis-sulari, dawn għandhom ikunu terraced, kull sular irtirat lura, biex jitnaqqas l-impatt viżiv. Il-ħitan vojta tal-ġnub li jitħallew wara l-estenzjonijiet huma estetikament koroh. Id-disinn ta’ bini ġdid għandu jindirizza dawn l-aspetti, u fejn hemm bżonn, il-bini għandu jiġi rtirat mill-ġenb ukoll.

Momentum qed issejjaħ għal konsultazzjoni pubblika sħiħa u trasparenti dwar dawn il-policies, kif qiegħed isir fil-każ tal-permessi tal-lukandi għal żewġ sulari oħra. Madankollu, sakemm tintemm il-konsultazzjoni u tinħoloq policy ġdida, għandu jkun hemm waqfien immedjat fuq l-applikazzjonijiet kollha relatati sabiex tiġi evitata aktar ħsara li ma tissewwiex.

Momentum se tkompli tagħti appoġġ lir-residenti u lill-kunsilli lokali biex tiddefendi l-irħula tagħna, il-wirt tagħna, u l-kwalità tal-ħajja li tappartjeni lil kulħadd.

There is hope, you can help!

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