‘If We Are Going To Ignore Policies, What’s Left Of Order?’: Moviment Graffitti Activist Says During Qala Illegal Works Hearing
Moviment Graffitti member Rachel Baldacchino questioned what would be left of order and respect for the environment if we continue to ignore certain policies in place when it comes to development applications.
Baldacchino made a strong statement during today’s PA hearing, which discussed PA/08143/21, dealing with sanctioning Joseph Portelli’s illegal works in Qala, with it being deferred until 12th July.
“If we’re going to ignore the policies of the country, then what remains of order and the safeguarding of that which is fragile?” she questioned during her statement.
Referring to the rural policy, Baldacchino said that while it does allow construction to happen on ODZ land in certain cases, both ERA and the case officer’s report state that this application does not adhere to the policy.
“The above-mentioned interventions are of serious environmental concerns,” the Environment and Resources Authority said regarding the development.
The case officer from the Planning Authority also recommended the development for refusal, due to environmental concerns.
“Something else which is worrying for us is that when we (Moviment Graffitti) made reports to the enforcement unit of the PA when illegal excavations had just started, the illegal works not only continued, but Portelli also publicly said that he would be glad to pay the fines,” she said, referencing Portelli’s statement.
“If this project is approved, the message that it will send is that of ‘let’s continue doing whatever we want to do’ with the blessing of the authorities,” she stressed, referring to developers.
“I cannot understand what type of society we’re going to build if we are going to continue with this approach,” she lamented.
“This is the fifth application tied to a monstrous project, and we know it which is blatantly being divided to avoid the environmental impact assessment which is normally present in such big projects like this one,” she said.
“These are all actions and manoeuvres which are anti-democratic, as well as illegal,” she said.
“We believe that not only should this project be refused, but the land which saw the illegal excavations should be rehabilitated immediately to its previous natural state,” she said, closing her intervention.
Back in October, activists from Moviment Graffitti, as well as Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg, all called out Portelli over the illegal works on a 164 apartment residential complex in Qala, part of which is outside the development zone.
Afterwards, Portelli had asked the Planning Authority to sanction such illegal works which had been taking place in the area.
What do you make of Moviment Graffitti’s statement?
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