A successful crowdfunding effort has enabled Pembroke and Swieqi residents, two organisations, and two local councils to appeal the outrageous Planning Authority (PA) decision to greenlight a 13-storey extension to the “monstrous DB development”.
“DB has already profited enormously from public land, suffocated residents, damaged the natural environment, and buried historical buildings,” the appellants said in a statement on Saturday. Its project for a hotel and two towers next to thousands of Pembroke residents – living literally across the road – was approved by compromised authorities who ignored tens of thousands of public objections and the strong opposition of three local councils.
Now, before the originally approved 17- and 18-storey towers are even built, they are set to rise to 23 and 25 floors respectively.
The appeal filed with the Planning Tribunal (EPRT) argues that the approved increase in height constitutes an excessive and unjustified intensification of development, the appellants said. This increase will result in severe and permanent overshadowing, plunging third-party residents into constant darkness and significantly undermining their quality of life.
Furthermore, the tunnel that was presented as a key mitigation measure during the original approval – intended to divert traffic, emissions, and noise underground – never materialised, confirming that this so-called mitigation measure was a cynical ruse deliberately advanced to obtain planning approval under false pretences.
The Planning Authority (PA) and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) continue to disregard the legitimate concerns of residents, imposing large-scale developments that overwhelm local infrastructure and irreversibly damage the character and liveability of the community.
“It is a shame that residents, organisations, and local councils are forced to expend time, energy, and resources challenging shameful decisions taken by public authorities that run counter to the public good. Nevertheless, the fight to protect our environment and quality of life will continue,” the appellamnts said.
Appellants
Moviment Graffitti
Din l-Art Ħelwa
St. Julian’s Local Council
Swieqi Local Council
Pembroke and Swieqi residents
