Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/506094
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 MAY 2015 News 7 tourists, particularly in the shoulder months. "The south already has more than its fair share of polluting industries and such a park would begin to com- pensate," she said. Others were more subdued. "While we favour a nature park in this area, the news of this prom- ise seems to be a set-off against the take-up of yet more ODZ for a uni- versity," Simone Mizzi said. "The en- vironment is being treated as a chess game with checks and balances to keep all parties happy, but with each compromise the environment is al- ways the loser." "Of course the park will be a good initiative," Friends of the Earth chairperson Martin Galea de Gio- vanni said. "With regard to it acting as compensation for the university, one would only need to look around and see the big picture of the general over-development on these islands. "The answer lies somewhere there…" The area intended for the park consists of terraced fields which are mostly arable and very popular with hunters and trappers. It as yet unknown whether the park would force hunters out of the area. Lino Farrugia, CEO of hunters' federation FKNK, said that he would analyse the situation. "Malta proportionately has more national parks than any other Euro- pean country," he said. 'Local council not consulted' The Marsaskala local council has also been summoned to a meeting at Castille tomorrow. However, Na- tionalist councillor Charlot Cassar told MaltaToday that the local coun- cil had not been consulted about the project before the government an- nounced it. Cassar, who also serves on the Consultative Council of the South, also questioned the siting of the uni- versity. "Obviously, the construction of a university in the south is welcome, but why not assess existing buildings instead of virgin land?" he asked. However Marsaskala's Labour mayor, Mario Calleja, said he is "in no doubt that the project is sustaina- ble and will help the economy – both on a national and a local level." Architect's green plans for new university A Maltese architect shortlisted to design the American University told MaltaToday that there are not many alternative locations for a university in the south other than the site iden- tified by the government. Ray Demicoli, founder of DeMi- coli & Associates, said that his pro- posal for the university allocates an "important" budget for "extensive" landscaping, and will fully respect its green surroundings. It is his intention to place soft land- scaping above some rooftops, plant several trees on campus, and place green areas around faculty blocks. "Following studies, one would determine if the ecological zones mentioned in the South Malta Local Plan are still important," Demicoli added. "In that case, a buffer could be left between the university and the coast." Moreover, he said that he proposes to sink the buildings in the ground as much as possible so as to minimise their impact. Visually too, he said that the build- ings will be designed on a "Mediter- ranean style". "We propose to treat the campus as a Mediterranean village and to give each of the five faculties their own identity," he said. A government source confirmed that the project would attract more than 4,000 students. Maltese could apply but would have to pay. None- theless, the source said the govern- ment was negotiating a number of scholarships for Maltese students. "I believe that the project will yield extremely positive long-term ben- efits," Demicoli said. "It will certainly boost the south and generate income for restaurants and apartment land- lords." tdiacono@mediatoday.com.mt Minister to meet NGOs development A government source confirmed the project would attract over 4,000 students Simone Mizzi: "With each compromise environment is always the loser" Astrid Vella: "Unlike speculation, open spaces aren't infinite"