Moviment Graffitti is  strongly objecting to the proposal for the construction of a block of 125 apartments just 300 metres from the cliff edge in Sannat, Gozo. The block, proposed by Gozitan construction magnate Joseph Portelli, lists known Portelli partners Mark Agius (Ta’ Dirjanu), Samuel Saliba and Joseph Vella as applicants for the blocks.

In a statement, the organisation highlighted how three separate applications (PA/02035/2, PA/02087/21 and PA/05048/20) have been filed in an attempt to avoid the scrutiny necessary for a single massive development. In fact, one of these permits on Triq ta’ Bebunaq and Triq it-Tempju tal-Imramma has already been issued by the PA, in what the group has described as a tried-and-tested tactic that allows developers to obtain permits with relative ease by avoiding the requirement for the conduction of an Environmental Impact Assessment.

“This devious strategy to bypass the necessary studies should be put to an end,” said a spokesperson for Moviment Graffitti. “Developers are making separate applications while hiding behind the names of family members and other associates. This shows how the system itself is fundamentally flawed, undermining any potential for sound planning and resulting in gross planning injustice.”

The development foresees the construction of swimming pools and decking on ODZ land, with the approval of these applications set to present the opportunity for further take-up of fresh land. This new invasion in ODZ land will not only come at the expense of a scenic clifftop, but also set the precedent for the take-up of more green spaces.

All three applications violate height restrictions and will engulf Sannat, ruining the serene village, increasing traffic and congestion, and affecting people’s enjoyment of sunlight in their homes.

“Moreover, the proposed site of development is in the close vicinity of an internationally recognised Important Bird Area, home to a significant breeding population of Scopoli’s Shearwaters (Ċief) in the Mediterranean. The light pollution produced by such a large development poses a direct threat to these seabirds, one which Malta is duty-bound to prevent.”

The site lies on good quality agricultural land, further aggravating the effect of the development. This will amount to a further decrease in agricultural areas – which are already under sustained pressure in Malta and Gozo – while increasing our dependency on imported food and jeopardising the livelihoods of the farmers who make a living off the land.

In addition, the site is located next to the Natura 2000 site, Xlendi – Wied tal-Kantra Area, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation with International Importance. The area is also close to Sanap Cliffs, which form part of a Special Protected Area. These country areas are enjoyed by visitors and wildlife all year-round, and their beauty will be severely impacted.

“We oppose this development in its entirety, and call once again on the authorities to put an end to these underhanded games by developers,” said Moviment Graffitti.

“Moreover, we draw attention to the recent statements issued by the Gozitan mayors on the issue of overdevelopment in Gozo, since developments of this volume are the main cause of worry for thousands of Gozitan residents who stand to lose most. The filing of separate applications is doubly tragic, since it will rob residents of their quality of life through a highly dishonest practice which the authorities are aware of, but not willing to stop,” the group said.

L-imprenditur Joseph Portelli jipproponi blokka massiċċa ta’ 125 appartament qrib l-irdumijiet fis-Sannat

Il-Moviment Graffitti qed joġġezzjona bil-qawwa għall-proposta għall-bini ta’ blokka ta’ 125 appartament 300 metru biss ‘il bogħod mit-tarf tal-irdum fis-Sannat, Għawdex. Il-blokka, proposta mill-imprenditur Għawdxi Joseph Portelli, turi lis-sieħba ta’ Portelli, Mark Agius (Ta’ Dirjanu), Samuel Saliba u Joseph Vella bħala l-applikanti għal dawn il-blokok.

Fi stqarrija, il-Moviment Graffitti spjega kif tliet applikazzjonijiet separati (PA/02035/2, PA/02087/21 u PA/05048/20) ġew sottomessi bl-iskop li jiġi evitat l-iskrutinju meħtieġ kieku l-iżvilupp ġie ppreżentat bħala proġett wieħed. Fil-fatt, wieħed minn dawn il-permessi fi Triq ta’ Bebunaq u fi Triq it-Tempju tal-Imramma ġa nħareġ mill-PA. Din hija tattika li ġa ġiet prattikata qabel, li tippermetti lill-iżviluppaturi biex jakkwistaw permessi mingħajr wisq problemi billi jevitaw il-proċedura li tirrikjedi li jsir assessjar tal-impatt ambjentali (EIA).

“Din l-istrateġija malinna biex jiġi evitat li jsiru l-istudji meħtieġa għandha tinqata’, qalet kelliema għall-Moviment Graffitti. “L-iżviluppaturi qed jissottomettu applikazzjonijiet separati filwaqt li jistaħbew wara ismijiet ta’ membri tal-familja jew persuni oħra qrib tagħhom. Dan juri kif is-sistema nfisha hija żbaljata u qiegħda timmina kwalunkwe potenzjal għal pjanar sura ta’ nies, li qed jirriżulta f’inġustizzja spjetata fil-qasam tal-ippjanar”.

L-iżvilupp qed jimmira għal kostruzzjoni ta’ pixxini u l-pjattaformi ta’ madwarhom fuq art ODZ, u l-approvazzjoni ta’ dawn l-applikazzjonijiet x’aktarx li twassal għal aktar opportunitajiet ta’ teħid ta’ art verġni. Din l-invażjoni ġdida fuq art ODZ se ssir mhux biss a skapitu tal-irdumijiet ta’ ġmiel naturali li hemm fil-qrib, imma wkoll se sservi ta’ preċedent għat-teħid ta’ iktar spazji miftuħa.

It-tliet applikazzjonijiet ma jirrispettawx ukoll ir-restrizzjonijiet tal-għoli tal-bini u se joħonqu lis-Sannat, se jeqirdu villaġġ kwiet, se jżidu t-traffiku u l-konġestjoni, u se jaffettwaw it-tgawdija tax-xemx ta’ nies oħrajn minn ġo djarhom.

“Barra minn hekk, is-sit propost għall-iżvilupp jinsab qrib żona tal-għasafar importanti, rikonoxxuta internazzjonalment, li fiha tgħammar popolazzjoni mdaqqsa ta’ ċief. It-tniġġis mid-dwal minn żvilupp ta’ dan id-daqs, huwa theddida diretta għal dawn l-għasafar tal-baħar, theddida li Malta hija fid-dmir li tevita”.

Is-sit qiegħed fuq art agrikola tajba, li jkompli jiggrava l-impatt negattiv tal-iżvilupp. Dan se jwassal għal aktar tnaqqis f’żoni agrikoli – li diġà jinsabu taħt pressjoni f’Malta u f’Għawdex – filwaqt li jkompli jżid id-dipendenza tagħna fuq ikel importat u jhedded l-għajxien tal-bdiewa li l-qliegħ tagħhom jiddependi mill-art.

Apparti dan, is-sit jinsab viċin sit tan-Natura 2000, ix-Xlendi – iż-żona tal-Wied tal-Kantra, li hija meqjusa bħala Żona Speċjali ta’ Konservazzjoni ta’ importanza internazzjonali. Is-sit huw wkoll qrib l-Irdumijiet ta’ Sanap, li jiffurmaw parti minn Żona Speċjali Protetta. Dawn l-akkwati jitgawdew min-nies li jżuru l-post u mill-biodiversità tal-lokal, u ġmielhom se jkun affettwat b’mod negattiv ħafna.

“Aħna qegħdin nopponu dan l-iżvilupp kollu kemm hu, u nsejħu għal darb’oħra lill-awtoritajiet biex iwaqqfu darba għal dejjem dawn il-manuvri qarrieqa mill-iżviluppaturi”, qal il-Moviment Graffitti.

“Barra minn hekk, nixtiequ niġbdu l-attenzjoni għal dak li qalu s-sindki Għawdxin dwar l-iżvilupp sfrenat li qed isir f’Għawdex, għaliex proġetti ta’ żvilupp ta’ dan il-volum huma l-kawża prinċipali tal-inkwiet fost l-eluf ta’ residenti Għawdxin li għandhom l-aktar x’jitilfu fl-aħħar minn l-aħħar. Is-sottomissjoni ta’ applikazzjonijiet separati hija traġedja doppja, għaliex se tnaqqar mill-kwalità tal-ħajja tar-residenti permezz ta’ prattika diżonesta li l-awtoritajiet jafu biha imma li mhux lesti li jwaqqfu”, temm jgħid il-grupp.