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Labour MP: Why I Voted In Favour Of Pembroke High-Rise Project

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The Planning Authority’s approval yesterday of a high-rise development on the site of the former ITS campus in Pembroke proved extremely controversial, with residents and environmentalists alike warning it will have a harmful impact on the view, traffic and the general quality of life in the area.

However, Labour MP Clayton Bartolo – the governing party’s representative on the Planning Authority board – defended his decision to vote in favour of the db Group’s City Centre Complex, which will be composed of a 17-storey hotel, high-end residences, a shopping mall and a casino.

Bartolo told Lovin Malta it was unfair on the general public, the PA board members and the investors that a decision had to be taken in the absence of a masterplan for the Paceville and St Julian’s area.

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A photomontage of the proposed development

The Planning Authority had proposed such a masterplan a few years ago, but scrapped it amidst public criticism that it had been designed to accommodate the wishes of high-rise developers – including the db Group.

“Presently there is no masterplan for the Paceville/ St Julian’s area, meaning that the PA Board had to decide on another project without such a plan which surely acts as a guidance when taking these kind of decisions,” Bartolo said. “This is not fair for the general public, for the board members and above all for potential investors who run the risk of proposing something without such crucial guidelines.”

“Having said that, there are a number of policies which govern the site – such as the fact that this area is indicated for high-rise buildings. Ironically the applicant presented a masterplan for the site, but the PA has not yet prepared a masterplan. In my opinion, this should not penalise the applicant, and a decision needed to be taken in today’s board meeting.”

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The db Group is owned by magnate Silvio Debono

As for the project itself, Bartolo argued that the db Group didn’t make use of all the gross floor area, meaning the buildings will be kept lower than the legal maximum limit.

“This is a positive aspect in my opinion and shows that the applicant is sensitive to other surrounding projects which also need to be taken in consideration when deciding on this project,” he said. “A positive point is the fact that the photomontages showed the cumulative effect of these projects, rather than showing this project in isolation.”

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Għar Ħarq il-Ħammiem. Photo: Niki Caruana

The Labour MP also praised the depth of the environmental, traffic and social impact assessments presented by the developers, as well as the measures proposed to safeguard the nearby Għar Ħarq il-Ħammiem – Malta’s only fully submerged cave.

He also gave the thumbs up to the db Group’s Green Travel Plan, which includes measures such as bike racks, bike lanes and showers for people who cycle to work, as well as incentivise for employees who carpool, cycle, walk or take a minivan to work.

“There were a number of measures which we had never heard of before in other projects of such magnitude,” Bartolo said. “This is a positive step forward in having green travel put high on the local agenda, however, the applicant needs to keep up his end of the deal and make this green travel plan a reality. I also suggested to have a person responsible to make sure that this plan is actually implemented, something which Transport Malta also emphasised about.”

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Hundreds of people attended the PA board meeting yesterday

“I am of the opinion, that when one looks at all aspects of the project in an objective manner, which project is actually respecting the various policies in place, the positives outweigh the negatives and hence I voted in favour.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat gave a diplomatic answer when asked to react to the Planning Authority’s decision.

“The Prime Minister notes that the decision on the DB project has gone through a consultation process as well as through various stages of planning and environmental permits and after having to adhere to clear policies,” a spokesperson for Muscat said.

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Pembroke mayor Dean Hili, who voted against the project, said he was angry and frustrated but not surprised at the Planning Authority’s ultimate decision.

“I spoke weeks ago about there being an exercise whereby the application was being considered on the basis of laws and policies alone when a much broader exercise was required, one that respecting the rights of the developer to propose a project on the basis of existing laws, also holds the common citizen and their concerns at heart,” the PL mayor said. “Seems like I was correct. I thank each and everyone of those present today, those who have contributed in the months leading up to this day, and the many of you who have messaged me personally today in particular. Your support is truly appreciated.”

What do you make of the high-rise project?

READ NEXT: I Went To A Public Planning Authority Meeting And It Sucked Way Harder Than I Originally Expected

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Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

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