Momentum supports parliamentary petition to protect Swatar’s last remaining green space

Another week, another parliamentary petition to save the last natural part of an overdeveloped valley. Momentum is expressing its full support for the parliamentary petition titled “Preserving Swatar’s Virgin Land for Present and Future Generations,” which calls for the protection of one of the last remaining undeveloped agricultural areas in Swatar – Birkirkara – Msida valley

The petition urges Parliament to intervene so that Planning Control applications PC/0013/17 and PC/00139/18 are withdrawn or rejected, ensuring that this land remains protected and preserved as open green space.

Arnold Cassola, leader of Momentum said, “Residents are realising that PN and PL  MPs are avoiding doing what is necessary, i.e., to present a  parliamentary motion and save the valley. Instead residents are being forced to make their parliamentary petition to save what’s left”

The site represents a vital environmental, social, and public health resource for residents of Swatar and surrounding localities. In an area that has become heavily urbanised, this land provides rare relief from dense development and contributes directly to the wellbeing and quality of life of nearby communities.

Dr Matthew Agius, an election candidate on Swatar said, “Green open spaces are not a luxury. They are essential for healthy communities and sustainable development. Once these spaces are lost to development, they are gone forever.”

The site also plays an important environmental role by naturally absorbing rainwater runoff, helping reduce flooding risks in surrounding areas, particularly in Msida. Its development would remove one of the locality’s last natural buffers against such impacts.

Momentum encourages the public to sign the petition and calls on the authorities to listen to residents and act decisively to safeguard this land for present and future generations.

Link to Swatar petition: https://parlament.mt/en/petition?id=330

Momentum also urges the public to support the very similar parliamentary petition to save Pembroke: https://parlament.mt/en/petition/?id=326

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