Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1104601
NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 APRIL 2019 JAM ES DEBONO THE daughter of former Maltese prime minister Dom Mintoff is objecting to the "privatisation" of public ar- eas in Bormla as a result of the extension of the Ameri- can University Campus in Bormla. Yana Bland Mintoff, a for- mer Labour candidate in the 2013 general election, filed her objection as president of the Forum Komunità Bormli- za Mintoff, warning that fur- ther "expansion" of AUM was premature "considering the very low uptake of the AUM educational services to date, and the lack of any positive multiplier effect on the local community and the country as a whole." The Planning Authority is currently assessing plans for the extension of the univer- sity's campus, consisting of an additional floor on the Knights' building and three new buildings in Bormla's Dock Number 1 area, includ- ing a controversial residential block in St Paul's square. Mintoff also presented the organisation's "strong ob- jections" to the latest plans which foresee additional floors on the historic Knights' buildings and the develop- ment of a student accom- modation block in St Paul's square. She reprimanded the au- thorities for the lack of any consultation and for the lack of consideration for the needs of local people. "This last remaining area at the heart of Bormla should be re- stored for the people and by the people, retaining its his- torical identity and provid- ing space and opportunities for local entrepreneurs and citizens of all walks of life to meet, work, cooperate and enjoy in a creative and en- vironmentally friendly hub." Mintoff said the latest plans would obstruct the Is- la bastions and detract from the cultural and unique ar- chitectural heritage of the area. She also objected to "the privatisation of the pub- lic staircase and public grounds", which she said would create more incon- venience to local people. Isla council demands parking spaces Concern on parking pres- sures created by the AUM expansion from the Bormla council has now spilled into neighbouring Isla. Isla mayor Guiseppe Casha warned that the AUM ex- pansion will increase park- ing problems in the area to "unprecedented levels" and has demanded free access to a number of parking spaces for Isla residents. The council is calling on the developers to ensure that only 50% of parking spaces related to the project are reserved for students and AUM staff while a num- ber of the remaining parking spaces are allotted to Isla residents on a "pro rata" ba- sis. The council has also called on developers to ensure that residents should have full access to walk from Isla to Bormla. The Bormla council made a similar demand for 50% of all parking spaces included in the project in submis- sions made last month. But following a meeting with the AUM, it reached an agree- ment through which the AUM will contribute a mini- mum of 90 parking spaces reserved for residents in var- ious sites within the locality. These sites will be identified at a later stage after "proper consultation." Yana Mintoff files objection to AUM expansion