A group of residents, local councils and NGOs gathered outside the ITS site in Pembroke to express their concerns at the db Group’s project proposed for the site. 

Holding signs saying “Do Not Bury Us Alive”, they said that if the project is approved, they would effectively be buried under “the long shadows cast by a gigantic tower and resort hotel, unlimited commercialisation, endless traffic, and hazardous dust.”

“We are happy that residents and other NGOs came out in support together with the three local councils of the area,” said Eric Castillo, one of the organisers from Moviment Graffiti. 

“We saw a large amount of residents were angry at the effects that this project would have on their locality, so we decided to now start a campaign against this project, together with the residents,” he said. 

The main points that the civil protest wanted to address were as follows:

• The massive scale of the project – a 37-storey residential tower and a 19-storey resort hotel of 455 rooms.

• The fact that the project will generate about 7,500 car trips daily, leading to gridlock.

• A construction period of at least three years.

• The developers are proposing to install a concrete batching plant on site, metres away from people’s homes.

• The project’s shadowing effect will leave a huge impact on the residential area of Pembroke, drastically reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the area throughout the year.

• The Environment Impact Assessment identifies a likely adverse impact on Għar Ħarq Ħammiem, part of which lies under the proposed complex.

• The project would significantly change the character of Pembroke by further diluting the boundaries between Pembroke and Paceville, and intensifying commercialisation in St Julian’s.

Moviment Graffitti, were joined by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Nature Trust (Malta), Friends of the Earth (Malta), Din l-Art Ħelwa, Żminijietna – Voice of the Left and activists involved in Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent.

What do you think of the proposed project in Pembroke?

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]