Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/637230
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2016 3 MATTHEW AGIUS GREEN party Alternattiva Demokratika and conservation- ists Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) have accused the Malta En- vironment and Planning Authority of dismantling local plans to accom- modate hotelier Silvio Debono. In a joint press conference in Attard, AD deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo said that an ap- plication for development of the former isolation hospital at Mtarfa had been made according to the new Height Limitation Adjustment Policy for Retirement Homes be- fore the policy was even issued. This indicated insider knowledge, Cacopardo alleged. "Maybe there are grounds for an inquiry?" he wondered, clearly not hopeful that it would be held. It was announced by the govern- ment yesterday that last year an ap- plication had been made about the Mtarfa hospital after an expression of interest on the rehabilitation of disused buildings was issued. "It makes no sense to make de- tailed plans for holistic local devel- opment, only to later eat away at them," Cacopardo said. The proposed addition of two storeys over Roseville in Attard affects neighbours' exposure to sunlight, reduces the effectiveness of solar panels, increases urban de- velopment and negatively impacts residents, Cacopardo said, adding that as a direct consequence, the area where this proposal is applied will witness an increase in traffic problems. "It is a good governance issue, the proposal shows that it had been made on the condition that regula- tions would change to suit it," he said. Astrid Vella, for the FAA, high- lighted the risks of a policy where care of the elderly is left in the hands of developers. There was no indication that medical profes- sionals were consulted about the expansion of Roseville or about Mtarfa, she said, dismissing the "familiar refrain of the usual devel- opers" who claim to need to build upwards to avoid spreading out- wards. There was sufficient space in development zones, she said. In addition, Malta's healthcare policy was going against the global trend towards care in the commu- nity, Vella said, and was instead fa- vouring the "ghettoization" of the elderly. Vella said that building upwards negatively affected the mental wellbeing of the elderly and cre- ates a greater load on staff. She said she feared that dementia patients would now be confined to the top storeys, instead of being allowed to wander the gardens – which has therapeutic benefits for them. It also posed a fire risk, she said. "How can bedridden patients be evacuated? MEPA failed to identify this risk, only managing to identify advantages for the developer." Abroad, community care re- duced the load on the system and increased available bed spaces, said Vella, pointing out that 10 empty government schools were available to be converted into homes for the elderly, in line with plans for active ageing. Attard resident Charles Busuttil, who lives on Triq Sant Anton, the same street as Roseville, told Mal- taToday that the sewerage system in place could not handle the in- creased load. Since the construction of the new wing beside the original property, the overloaded system had suffered blockages which had incurred Busuttil costs to fix. He reported regularly seeing gov- ernment workers operating water bowsers next to his property, os- tensibly emptying an overfull res- ervoir. He had been told by one worker, however, that they were, in fact, flushing the system out to clear the blockage. He said he feared that wells in the area would be contami- nated with the waste water. Roseville plans made public by MaltaToday One neighbour, who asked not to be named, claimed that there had been no notification of the planned development, much less consulta- tion on the proposed expansion. It was only through an article in Mal- taToday that the neighbours had found out about the plans, he said. The neighbour said he had called up a contact of his at the heritage advisory unit at MEPA who, he said, had appeared unaware of any plans and who had told him that it was "not likely" to be the case. However, two weeks later, the same contact confirmed that the plans had been submitted, and told him that he should have submitted an objection if he disagreed with the development. Contacted by the residents, MEPA CEO Johann Buttigieg had then al- legedly refused to extend the dead- line for these submissions. "The legal boxes were ticked but nobody knew, not even the Local Council," the outraged resident said, adding that his various attempts to contact other ministers had all been fruit- less. News Height limits 'changed to benefit hotelier' Konrad Mizzi submits nomination for Labour deputy MIRIAM DALLI ENERGY Minister Konrad Mizzi has submitted his nomination for the post of Labour deputy leader for party affairs. The nomination was made possible following amend- ments to the party statute, approved on Friday by the party's delegates to remove a prohibition on MPs to fill the second deputy leadership post. Mizzi, responsible for the government's ambitious en- ergy plans to switch to gas, was instantly tipped for the post as a way of bringing in his managerial skills to the party. Sources described Mizzi – a newcomer in the last gen- eral election – as having won the support of the party's grassroots with his successful delivery of the reduction in energy bills, the investment in a new gas-fired power station and the ongoing reform in the health sector, which also falls under his portfolio. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Friday he wanted the new deputy leader to work on the "party- government synergy". Economy Minister Chris Cardona ruled out any in- terest in running for the post: "I have a younger person in mind, whose strength and drive will push the party forward." Likewise, tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis endorsed Mizzi's candidature, effectively ruling himself out of the race. Nominations close on Tuesday 9 February. Elections will be held on 25 February. If necessary, a second elec- tion will be held the following day. Roseville home, operated by Caremalta, is a home for the elderly that can now benefit from height extension policies Chosen one? Konrad Mizzi, elected for the first time in 2013 and made energy minister, is running for deputy leader for party affairs