The Sliema Residents Association (SRA) stressed that owners’ rights should not override the fundamental rights of residents for a healthy environment.

In a statement, the SRA said that it fully supports Mr Gera De Petri’s comments on Villa Bonici that “owners do have rights and that these are also protected by the Constitution and the European Court”.

However, SRA asserts that residents have fundamental rights too and MEPA’s role as a public environment protection and planning authority is to ensure that owners’ rights are exercised in the “public interest”. It stands to reason therefore, that owners’ rights should not override the fundamental rights of residents to a healthy and sustainable environment. .

SRA said that it is confident that both Dr Mario de Marco, parliamentary secretary for tourism and environment, and Mr Gera de Petri appreciate that the differences in MEPA’s strategic height limitations (as codified in the Local Plans) are not to be regarded as discriminatory, but are necessary for a healthy and sustainable town environment.

Similar principles apply to the restrictions on scheduled property, the owners of which face a financial cost or loss due to MEPA’s regulations as the law contemplates different planning policies, distinguishing between one site and the next, “in the public interest”.

Referring to the issues of expropriation and right of compensation to be paid to property owners against its market value as mentioned by Mr Gera De Petri, the SRA again has no reservations with this fundamental right. However, in view that between 2000 and 2006 the Villa Bonici site was changed from a UCA status (i.e. limited building and highly regulated) to the present state of ‘no specified building height’ without the necessary public consultation, SRA questions as to what market price will be paid from the tax payers’ pocket. SRA has publicly questioned MEPA on why and how this change in site status came to be, but to date no reply has been forthcoming.

If planning permits for this area were to be approved, incumbent and prospective residents will have to bear the brunt of urban density problems such as increased traffic problems and air pollution which are bound to deteriorate further once the new commercial centre in Tigne opens up in a few weeks’ time.