Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes the Planning Authority rejection of the development proposals for the Rationalisation site at Durumblat, Mosta, a green area of historical significance flanking Torri Cumbo.
FAA along with the Ramblers Association and Friends of the Earth (Malta) have been challenging the Rationalisation Scheme in Court since 2007, in the interests of residents’ quality of life and environment. While FAA recognises that legal commitments have been entered to, this Government is still in time to mitigate the damage by avoiding intense over-development of sites as was proposed in Mosta and many other areas in Malta and Gozo.
In his role as Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Muscat had been vehemently opposed to the Rationalisation plans. He is now in a position to ensure that the actual development of the already-committed sites is carried out in such a way to cause least damage by leaving open recreational green areas, which are essential to residents’ mental and physical health and well-being. The Government can also demonstrate far-sightedness by introducing the requirement that development of these Rationalisation sites be carbon-neutral ahead of the stipulated time.
