A large number of Naxxar residents, supported by eNGOS Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), Ramblers Association and Front Ħarsien ODZ, along with Naxxar and Għargħur Local Councils, today spoke out against the construction of a home for the elderly on ODZ land between Naxxar and Għargħur.
Rudolph Muscat, speaking for the residents, insisted that nothing should be built on the Out of Development Zone (ODZ) site. Rather, the remains of the abusive building there should be cleared to return the site to its original state. If this application is accepted on the grounds that the site is ‘near the building line’, then on this reasoning every scrap of unbuilt land will eventually be developed. The excuse of building a home for the elderly should not be used as a justification to build on protected zones. Furthermore, the Mosta /Naxxar area already has no less than eight homes for the elderly which will soon have the right to build additional floors, therefore residents asked why virgin ODZ land should be sacrificed when extra capacity is already being catered for? The residents are concerned that over-supply will lead to project creep – the project which will have the right to add three extra storeys, might fail as a home for the elderly and subsequently be changed to shops and speculative apartments ruining the landscape with a much higher building than the surrounding houses.
Perit Tara Cassar of FAA highlighted the fact that this application contravenes Malta’s National Health Policy which stipulates that the elderly should be cared for in the community to give them much more fulfilling and active lives, instead of which in this home elderly people would be isolated from their community by two dangerous arterial roads. In considering this application the Planning Authority is promoting the interests of developers, not the needs of the elderly. Astrid Vella (FAA) quoted the case of the abusive development at Wied il-Għasel where the developers had applied for a home for the elderly in order to be granted an ODZ site, and once the Outline permit was approved, they shamelessly switched to a commercial development in the Full permit.
Colette Sciberras of Front Ħarsien ODZ and Ingram Bondin of Ramblers Association both emphasised that ODZ sites are not to be used for such developments, especially when alternatives are available, and that such a permit would inevitably lead to others, leading to the loss of what little remains of the open space between Naxxar and Għargħur.
Maria Deguara, Mayor of Naxxar, also questioned the advisability of the proposed project, while Għargħur Councillor Ġiljan Aquilina pointed out that the home would be located at the meeting point of two very congested roads where traffic meets from Għargħur, Madliena, San Ġwann, Iklin, Naxxar and Mosta. The project would not only add to the congestion, but it is very disrespectful to locate elderly residents in an area known for its air pollution due to toxic vehicle emissions.
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The public is asked to add their voices against the building up of Malta’s countryside by objecting to PA 03592/16 athttp://new.faa.org.mt/do-your-
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Elderly care establishments in the Naxxar/Mosta area:
- Simblija Care Home, Triq il-Forga, Naxxar
- Holy Family Home for the Elderly, 48, Triq il-Markiz Scicluna, Naxxar, NXR 2069
- Hilltop Gardens, Triq l-Inkwina, Naxxar
- Dar Pax et Bonum, 111, Triq Glormu Cassar, Mosta, MST 4113
- Casa Arkati, Constitution Street, Mosta
- Age Concern Co Ltd, Central Home, Vjal l-Indipendenza, Mosta, MST 9028
- CareMalta, The Three Arches, Triq Valletta, Mosta, MST 9016
- Elderly Centre, Triq id-Dawr, Mosta, MST 4311
