Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544378
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 APRIL 2026 NEWS EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt MOMENTUM has expressed its support for a parliamentary pe- tition calling for the protection of one of the last remaining un- developed agricultural areas in Swatar. Momentum called on author- ities to listen to residents and act decisively to preserve this land for present and future generations. "Another week, another par- liamentary petition to save the last natural part of an overde- veloped valley," Momentum said on Saturday. The site, which is the size of 17 football pitches, is behind St Martin's College in Msida and is largely unused farmland. It had been added to the develop- ment zone in the 2006 rational- isation exercise. The land plays a vital envi- ronmental role by naturally absorbing rainwater runoff, which reduces flooding risks in surrounding areas, particu- larly in Msida. Its development would remove one of the local- ity's last natural buffers against such impacts. Developers are insisting on a building height of 22 metres, the equivalent of seven floors, on the site. "Once these green open spac- es are lost to development, they are gone forever," Momentum 9th District candidate Matthew Agius said. The petition, titled Preserving Swatar's Virgin Land for Pres- ent and Future Generations, urges parliament to intervene so that ongoing planning con- trol applications are reject- ed, ensuring the land remains protected and preserved as an open green space. "Residents are realising that PN and PL members of parlia- ment are avoiding doing what is necessary," Momentum Chair- person Arnold Cassola said. "Instead, residents are having to resort to parliamentary peti- tions to save what's left." Momentum encouraged the public to sign the petition to save one of Swatar's last green areas. Momentum supports petition to protect Swatar's last remaining green space Momentum's Arnold Cassola (right, top) and Matthew Agius (right, bottom) called for action to preserve th land in Swatar for present and future generations