NGOs Vow To Fight On For The Right To Protect The Environment

Flimkien għal  Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, the Ramblers Association of Malta and the Qui-si-Sana Residents Association – the organisations which are appealing  the PA’s approval of the Townsquare and Mrieħel high-rises, refer to the  Planning Authority’s attempt to stop them from exercising their right to appeal.

“As NGOs we represent thousands of our members who hold Malta’s environment, heritage and the health of its citizens at heart. NGOs are the voice of the people and of future generations, appealing in order to protect residents’ rights to liveable towns, where major projects such as these are preceded by full studies taking into account the impact of increased traffic, the load on existing infrastructure and social impact, not to mention the towers’ visual impact on Valletta’s World Heritage skyline and the vista of Mdina.

The Planning Authority’s attempt to try and eradicate NGOs’ right to appeal is a monstrous attempt at censoring civil society. It is particularly deplorable as this right is clearly provided for at law. The PA wants to dictate who can appeal and who may not. It doesn’t want NGOs to appeal, nor does it want the Environment and Resources Authority to appeal.  This imposition is clearly beyond its remit – especially as the right to appeal is enshrined in the law. It is totally unacceptable for an authority to militate against civil society’s rights,” said Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar spokesperson Astrid Vella.

A decision on this point should be taken by the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal on Thursday. “Whatever the decision, we will continue fighting. We will challenge this at every stage, in every forum, in every court. This is a cause worth fighting for.”