A pressing issue has emerged in Nigret, Żurrieq, where a significant parcel of farmland, measuring larger than a football pitch and a half, is under imminent threat of being transformed into blocks of flats. Moviment Graffitti, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is leading the charge to protect the remaining green spaces. With a planning application set to be decided upon by the Executive Council of the Planning Authority (PA) on Tuesday at 3pm, concerned citizens are raising their voices against this potential environmental and cultural loss.
Moviment Graffitti and local residents are vehemently opposing the proposed development and arguing against the weak justifications put forth by the Planning Authority. While the area is no longer classified as Outside Development Zone (ODZ) due to a questionable decision made in 2006, this does not grant the developer an automatic right to build. The law is unequivocal on this matter.
In a protest this morning, the NGO said that according to the highest planning policy, outlined in the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED) document, changing the status of agricultural land to residential use must be approached with caution. The SPED document prioritizes the preservation of agricultural areas and discourages their destruction. Recent court rulings have further confirmed the importance of protecting areas that hold historical or environmental value, even if they are no longer designated as ODZ since the 2006 decision.
In light of the existing legislation and court rulings, Moviment Graffitti said that the Planning Authority not only possesses the right but also the obligation to reject the destruction of 11,500 square meters of valuable agricultural land for apartments that are unnecessary. “It is incumbent upon the authority to prioritise the common good and environmental preservation over the profit-driven interests of developers.”
To amplify their concerns and demands, Moviment Graffitti and concerned citizens are organizing a national protest scheduled for Saturday, May 27.
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