Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/750768
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2016 News 3 TI M DIACONO RESIDENTS and activists gathered at Spinola Bay in St Julian's yesterday to voice their opposition to the Pace- ville master plan that has been proposed by the Plan- ning Authority. Some 100 protestors held up placards with slogans such as 'From the frying pan into the fire', 'Who is the master plan for?' and 'People are being evacuated so their [developers'] pockets can be fattened'. One bore the face of PA executive chairman Johann Buttigieg with a halo on his head, mockingly declaring him as the 'saint of the envi- ronment'. Activist Andre Callus de- cried the master plan as one that will expropriate resi- dences so as to accommo- date the business interests of a few elite developers, and warned that it will be faced with "ferocious resistance" if approved. "Developers have done whatever they wanted for the past few decades, but this master plan is taking it to a whole new level," he said. "It will create an ugly prec- edent – today it's the resi- dents of St Julian's who are affected, but tomorrow it could be residents of any other town." FAA president Astrid Vella urged the public to pro- test against the master plan en masse, warning that its problems are not only en- vironmental, but also eco- nomical and human-rights related. "The short-sightedness of this business-friendly gov- ernment will end up ruining the economy," she warned. "The mere fact that it is considering expropriating commercial properties will cause companies to think twice before investing in the country. Are we going back to the 70s? This will under- mine Malta on every front." Activist Erica Schembri lambasted the proposed land reclamation near a Natura 2000 site in front of Portomaso, while TV pre- senter Moira Delia spoke of her worry after discovering that her St Julian's home has been earmarked for expro- priation. "Imagine going to bed every night worrying about what will become of your property tomorrow," she told the crowd. "The Plan- ning Authority should con- sider residents as being on the same level as develop- ers." The protest was led by residents and involved activ- ists from Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Moviment Graffitti, Front Ħarsien ODZ, Ramblers' Association, Youth for the Environment, Nature Trust, Żminijietna – Voice of the Left and Friends of the Earth Malta. Opposition MPs George Pul- licino and Kristy Debono, PN MEP Roberta Metsola, Altern- attiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola, PN St Julian's councillors, and Swieqi mayor Noel Muscat were also pre- sent. NOT THIS MASTERPLAN Residents keep up pressure against Paceville high-rise Activists: Put people and environment first Who is the masterplan for? Kamp Emergenza Ambjent activist Erika Schembri says the mooted expropriations only serve to line developers' pockets