Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/963162
maltatoday SUNDAY 8 APRIL 2018 News 7 TIA RELJIC THE Hard Rock hotel and high- rise project to be developed by the db Group on St George's Bay will "bury alive" its residents, a num- ber of NGOs, local councils and residents said yesterday. Concerns were raised during a press conference near the pro- posed site about the "massive" scale of the project – a 37-storey residential tower and a 19-storey resort hotel of 455 rooms. The gathering was a follow-up to a public meeting last month, in which over 200 residents ex- pressed concerns about the pro- posal, and served to launch a new campaign against overdevelop- ment named 'Do Not Bury Us Alive'. Pembroke resident Adrian Gri- ma said the "monstrous" project would negatively impact resi- dents and those working in the area. The infrastructure was not adequate to cater for such a pro- ject, as the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project did not take other development projects in the area into consid- eration, Grima said. Other residents raised concerns about health, noise pollution, and the fact that the infrastructure in the area is not appropriate for high-rise buildings. Another concern focused on the waste that the project would gen- erate during a construction pro- ject that would last three years, with around 50 trips by heavy ve- hicles per day, and 33,085 tonnes of waste generated during demo- lition and excavation. A batching plant is also proposed on the site close to residences. "This concrete-making facility in Pembroke will inevitably have environmental consequences, in- cluding the spread of insidious dust particles," Grima ssaid. Already the project risks affect- ing the undergound cave Ghar Harq Hammiem, which is an area of ecological importance and a site of scientific importance. "The project would significantly change the character of Pem- broke by further diluting the boundaries between Pembroke and Paceville, and intensifying commercialisation in St Julian's. It would also create a domino effect, with an acceleration of further development to cater for the labour force required and the changing nature of activities in the area," Grima said. St Julian's mayor Guido Dalli said that embellishment pro- jects in the area were futile if the proposed project goes through. "Don't let Pembroke become St Julian's," he told residents, add- ing that St Julian's had been de- stroyed by development. "This is the beginning of the destruction of Pembroke, as developments will continue." Pembroke mayor Dean Hili said that Pembroke used to be a "clean canvas", explaining that residents are used to a certain way of life. Developments of this calibre, therefore, threaten the way of life that residents have grown accus- tomed to. Hili also echoed the concern that the infrastructure of the area does not cater for such develop- ment, and that the project should not go through unless the envi- ronment is changed to accom- modate it. Traffic in Pembroke is already problematic, he said, and the roads surely cannot take any more cars. "As a local council, we cannot take a position in favour of this project," Hili said. The Democratic Party (PD) said the application for the proposed project was being made with- out a masterplan, and therefore does not consider its impacts in a holistic, genuine, and scientific manner. The project is being done without a development brief, and the Auditor General's investiga- tions on how the land was trans- ferred is still ongoing – a fact which the PA is ignoring, accord- ing to PD. Speaking at the conference, lawyer and environmental activ- ist Claire Bonello said that the project would create traffic prob- lems, as it would result in the 'total congestion' of Pembroke. According to the EIA, the project will generate around 7,500 car trips per day. Andre Callus of Moviment Graf- fitti described the proposal itself as "horrendous", explaining that the land belongs to the public and is used for the public good. "Who will benefit from this pro- ject?" he asked, adding that the PA can choose to protect the in- terests of residents and of the en- vironment, or of those who have a "lot of money". The government had signed to lease the land to db Group for the proposed project for 99 years for €60 million, split between a €15 million premium payable over seven years, and also €23.4 million for the redemption of ground rent on individual residences. NGOs Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Nature Trust, Friends of the Earth Malta, Din L-Art Helwa, Zminijietna - Voice of the Left and Kamp Emergenza Ambjent activists were also supporting the initiative. If you apply for a business overdraft of €10,000, you will be charged 0% interest for the first six months and a variable borrowing rate of 6.75% per annum thereafter. The total amount paid by you after 12 months will be €10,724.38. A one time processing fee of 0.30% (minimum €40) is applicable upon setup of the overdraft. This example is based on the assumption that you spend your overdraft limit in full at the start of the agreement and that it remains fully drawn down for the duration of the agreement, which is here deemed to be 12 months. Use of the overdraft in a di…erent manner may result in a higher total amount paid. The 12 month term of the overdraft facility is for guidance purposes only as our overdrafts are generally for an indefinite duration and repayable on demand. O…er valid until 30 April 2018. Approved and issued by HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. 116 Archbishop Street, Valletta VLT 1444 which is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Licensed to conduct investment services business by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Terms and conditions may apply. www.hsbc.com.mt/fusion (Ref No. 100763 – 3/18) Together we thrive Because when business and life move fast, there will be times when you require short-term finance to keep your business running. This is HSBC Fusion. The combined service for your business and personal life. Find out more at hsbc.com.mt/fusion 0% Interest rate for 6 months, followed by 6.75% on Business Overdrafts opened before 30 April 2018 Processing fees apply tive chairman Johann Buttigieg told MaltaToday that the Planning Au- thority was still working on Satur- days due to its workload. "Summary applications do not need approval before any planning board. They get approved after a case officer's report once they get seen by a senior officer, or a board member of the planning commis- sion," Buttigieg said. "Such applications require a full board hearing if it is decided by an endorsing officer or a member of the commission. Since these are in- ternal alterations in the Prime Min- ister's private residence, there is no need for a board hearing." Representations for the planning application closed on the 4 April. The application was endorsed by Buttigieg himself on 7 April. The PA executive chairman said it was normal for the PA to ask employees in for work to clear workloads and process applications Pembroke residents want ITS project scrapped