Minister Miriam Dalli Engages In Lengthy Discussion With Qrendi Residents During Peaceful Protest

Environment Minister Miriam Dalli took the time to engage in a lengthy discussion with Qrendi residents on Friday evening, after a peaceful protest was held during the inauguration of a new public garden.

The protest, organised by residents' group Leħen il-Qrendi, aimed to raise awareness about growing concerns over excessive development in the locality.

Rather than avoiding the protesters, Dalli engaged directly with residents, listening to their frustrations and acknowledging concerns about the impact of development on Malta's rural villages.

Residents are particularly concerned about application PC/00053/26, which proposes residential development reaching heights of 17.5 metres across approximately 10,447 square metres of land near a protected historic tower and garden.

The demonstration also followed disappointment over the approval of another development application, PA/03299/24, involving 46 residential units near Qrendi's village core.

Meanwhile, the occasion marked a positive environmental milestone, with Dalli officially inaugurating Tal-Mitħna, a 7,000-square-metre regenerated space bordering Qrendi and Mqabba.

The €2 million project has transformed a former quarry, previously used for illegal dumping, into a family-friendly green space.

Approximately 20,000 cubic metres of construction waste were removed, with 300 trees and over 3,200 shrubs forming part of the regeneration.

While residents welcomed the importance of protecting green spaces, they stressed that further action is needed to safeguard Qrendi's remaining countryside and historic identity.

The evening ultimately provided an opportunity for residents to make their voices heard directly by the Minister, highlighting the importance of dialogue between communities and decision-makers.

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