Nine leading local NGOs have issued a joint condemnation of the proposed Villa Rosa Local Plan review, describing it as a “blueprint for large-scale overdevelopment” designed to benefit private developer Tal-Franċiż at the expense of public interest, the environment, and community wellbeing.
The revised plan, currently under public consultation until 11th June, would permit the construction of high-rise towers up to 39 storeys in St George’s Bay – a drastic leap from the current six-to-seven-storey limit. The total proposed development footprint is estimated at a staggering 146,500 square metres.
In a strongly worded statement, the organisations criticised the Planning Authority (PA) for promoting the plan using “meaningless” jargon and for failing to present any environmental, social, or economic impact assessments. The review, they argue, lacks any justification based on tourism demand or public benefit.
“This is not planning. It is policy written by developers,” the NGOs said, noting that the parameters outlined in the review mirror the controversial mega-project filed by Tal-Franċiż under application PA/07254/22.
They also slammed the ongoing consultation process as “a farce”, citing the PA’s dismissal of over 3,000 public objections submitted online, which were officially recorded as only 43.
The proposed development would pose direct risks to the Grade 1 scheduled Villa Rosa, the ecologically sensitive Ħarq Ħammiem Cave, and surrounding natural heritage sites. Far from enhancing public space, critics say the towering buildings would cast the area in shadow, worsen traffic and congestion, and strain already overburdened infrastructure, including drainage systems that currently overflow into the bay.
The Labour government has been accused of tailoring the revised Local Plan to accommodate a development proposal by construction magnate Anthony Camilleri, (Tal-Franċiż), who has been linked to donations to both major political parties.
Opposition and Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech has publicly denied approving any changes to the Local Plans. While previously evasive on the matter, Grech recently stated the PN is against amendments that harm residents or the environment. However, he has yet to directly address the Villa Rosa development itself.
The coalition is calling for the immediate withdrawal of the plan, urging government authorities to place the public and the environment before what they described as speculative profits.
The organisations backing this statement are:
BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Għawdix, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, Ramblers Association of Malta, and The Archaeological Society Malta.
Public feedback on the proposal can be submitted by 11th June via email to villarosa.consultation@pa.org.mt.
News Editor
Journalist and Newscaster
Leave a Reply