|
ANCIENT GARDENS IN PERIL
26/11/2011 - Palazzo Giannin and the garden at Three Churches Street, Balzan, have been granted permits in spite of being MEPA-designated Green Enclaves listed in their respective Local Plans which preclude the development of these sites.

|
 |
|
LUQA HOUSING PLANS DEEMED IRRESPONSIBLE
25/11/2022 - Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar highlights the fact that on Thursday 10th November 2011, the MEPA Board will again be discussing and taking a decision on the Housing Authority’s application for the building of 46 apartments and garages in a beautiful valley at Luqa.

|
 |
|
FAA CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE SCHEDULING OF HERITAGE AT RISK
24/11/2011 - With less than 24 hours to go to the MEPA hearing for an application to build up a protected old garden in Balzan, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar has renewed its call to MEPA to issue scheduling or an Emergency Conservation Order on the gardens of the Casa del Gioco in Three Churches Street Balzan and Villino Giannin in Għaxaq.

|
 |
|
Hondoq press release
In the face of an overwhelming outcry against the proposed Hondoq project to develop a large hotel and hundreds of real estate units around a yacht marina, the developers of Qala Creek have decided to drop the idea of the marina at Hondoq Bay, limiting themselves to a ‘swimming lagoon’.

|
 |
|
MEPA APPEALS TRIBUNAL RECOMMENDS AGAINST FAA APPEAL ON VALLETTA PROJECT
23/11/11 - The Environment and Planning Review Tribunal yesterday gave their “recommendation” on Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar’s appeal against the Valletta Rehabilitation project to construct a new City Gate, Parliament building, new theatre at the Royal Opera House and landscaping.

|
 |
|
HERITAGE PROVISIONS IN THE 2012 BUDGET
16/11/11 - Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes the Budget measures that encourage the restoration and renovation of scheduled properties; FAA has long called for a re-direction of the construction industry towards the restoration of our deteriorating architectural heritage.

|
 |
|
FAA Questions Political View Of Sustainable Development
01/11/11 - The Leader of the Labour Party, Dr Joseph Muscat, has recently spoken about the development of certain areas without making clear what his thoughts are regarding the conservation of urban and rural heritage or what impact his version of development would have on these and the citizens of these communities and their quality of life.

|
 |
|
Xewkija-Luqa ODZ
12/10/11 - It is easy for politicians to declare that "ODZ is ODZ" and promise to preserve our countryside when they know that much of it has already been handed over for development in the 2006 Rationalisation and Local Plans.

|
 |
|
Cittadella Masterplan - Heritage Management that is both Sensitive and Innovative
07/10/11 - Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar welcomes the MEPA Board's approval of the permits for the Cittadella Masterplan and Visitors' Centre, dealing with the restoration, upgrading and rehabilitation of Gozo's unique citadel.

|
 |
|
Mgarr Petrol Station - ENGOs Question MEPA's Environmental Credibilty
13/08/11 - The eNGOs Ramblers Association, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement and Friends of the Earth (Malta) are publicly calling for the immediate rescinding of the full development permit recently granted by the MEPA Board for the relocation of a petrol station from Mgarr square to a pristine Out of Development Zone in the same village.

|
|
|
Petrol Station to be Approved in Mġarr Countryside
09/08/11 - Yet again the MEPA Board is being recommended to approve an application which will relieve one area of an eyesore and health hazard, and inflict it on an area marked as Out of Development Zone.

|
 |
|
NGOs Back MEPA EPD Refusal of Ħondoq Project
03/08/11 - Moviment Harsien Hondoq, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Ramblers Association of Malta welcome the MEPA Environment Protection Directorate (EPD) recommendation of a refusal of the Hondoq project application.

|
 |
|
Ramla l-Ħamra Appeal Refued
28/07/11 - Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) and the Gozitan NGO Save Ramla welcome the MEPA Appeals Tribunal's refusal of the Appeal on the Ramla l-Hamra project to build a complex of 23 villas with pools on the slopes of the Ramla hillside.

|
|
|
Clarification on Wardija broiler farm
14/07/11 - FAA clarifies its previous press release regarding the broiler unit at the Wardija Natura 2000 site. While MEPA permit PA5784/08 related to the erection of a manure clamp, cesspits and the sanctioning of a hut, the contested issue was the legality of the broiler unit itself.

|
 |
ODZ Still Under Threat
13/07/11 - Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar welcomes recent positive results at MEPA but asks how much longer MEPA and NGO resources are to be wasted processing abusive applications.

|
 |
|
The impact of over-development on our health and economy
02/07/11 - Residents of many Maltese towns, especially Attard, Marsascala, Qawra Sliema, Swieqi and Xemxija, are finding that their once-peaceful neighbourhoods are turning into concrete jungles.

|
|
Villa Bonici - Sliema
28/05/11 - Following MEPA's publication of the proposal to convert Villa Bonici in Sliema into a home for the elderly, Sliema Residents Association, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, NatureTrust Malta and BirdLife Malta call on the authorities to schedule the entirety of the estate's gardens. .

|
 |
|
Impressive Villa Bonici projects by architecture students
06/05/11 - The Tony Mifsud Architecture Awards organised by the Sliema Local Council, the Architecture Department of the University of Malta, and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar were presented on Friday 6th May 2011.

|
|
|
Marsamxett Hotel Development
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar notes that MEPA has sent back a recent outline development application for the conversion of a property into a hotel on the Marsamxett waterfront by the Valletta Local Council due to incomplete and incorrect information.

|
|
|
No consultation, no action on air pollution
23/04/11 - Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) is receiving regular reports that new traffic routes are being pushed through with no consideration for the needs of the local residents. Transport Malta and some Local Councils seem to believe that the Aarhus Convention, which stipulates that the public is to be consulted when decisions on environmental matters are to be taken, is nothing more than a piece of paper to be ignored.

|
|
|
Ramla update: Developers accomodated again
16/04/11 - Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Save Ramla Group, the two NGOs challenging the application to build 23 villas with pools are very dismayed that MEPA has granted the developers yet another chance to further their Appeal.

|
|
|
Ramla l-Ħamra bay still under threat
11/04/11 - Although the general public is under the impression that the Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo is no longer at risk of development, in fact, it is still under threat. The permit that had been granted in 2007 was subsequently rescinded on the grounds of incorrect information being provided by the developers. The rescinding took place shortly after a large protest in Valletta organised by environment NGOs drew an estimated 1,500 protestors.

|
|
|
FAA Statement following confirmation of Casa Lanfreducci Basement status
14/03/11 - While it is of course reassuring to know that strong measures are to be taken to protect the part of the Lanfreducci basement that originally formed part of the crypt, it is very disappointing that the beautiful architecture of the rest of the basement still runs the risk of being reduced to showers and toilets.

|
|
|
Casa Lanfreducci Basement Confirmed as Part of Church Crypt
14/03/11 - Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) welcomes the announcement that investigations carried out by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage have confirmed that that the basement under Casa Lanfreducci in fact formed part of the crypt of Our Lady of Victory Church. This part of the crypt will now be re-integrated with the church and other apertures closed off so that it will not be affected by the Valletta Regeneration Project which, the Superintendent states, will be able to proceed unhindered without this site.

|

|
|
Mepa Landmark Decisions
15/02/11 - Following MEPA’s recent refusal of a permit to build flats which were permitted by the Local Plan but violated the streetscape of a Xemxija street lined by two-storey houses, MEPA has now refused a residential project comprising of 59 apartments and 74 garages which was proposed to be carried out on a large site behind the protected building and gardens of Villino Chapelle in St. Paul’s Bay. Although recommended for approval by the MEPA Major Projects Unit, the development was declared by the MEPA Board to be too cumbersome and intensive, resulting in unsustainable overdevelopment of this scheduled site.

|

|
|
Illegal Encroachment at Ghajnsielem
29/01/11 - As part of its efforts to protect residents’ rights, last year Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) made representations to the Lands Dept in the name of the Għajnsielem residents who were protesting about encroachment of the local belveder for the extension of the Grand Hotel.

|

|
|
FAA replies to Ministry of Infrastructure
17/01/11 - Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) refers to the article "Valletta's Casa Lanfreducci is no Burial Ground" issued on the 14th January 2011 in which the Ministry of Infrastructure denied that the house had been built on "some burial grounds". Far from being 'romantic speculation' on FAA's part, as alleged by the Ministry, the facts bear out FAA's claim that the crypt of Our Lady of Victory originally extended horizontally beneath Casa Lanfreducci.

|

|
|
Desecration of a crypt for a non-theatre
12/01/11 - Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar objects vehemently to the usurpation of the basement and part of the crypt of Casa Lanfreducci in order to extend the roofless theatre’s underground backstage facilities including dressing rooms, showers and toilets.

|
|
|
NGOs shocked over Dwejra
The environmental NGOs Nature Trust (Malta), Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Din L-Art Helwa, Ramblers Association BirdLife Malta and Friends of the Earth Malta are appalled by the way filming was being allowed in the Natura 2000 site at Dwejra in Gozo, with the depositing of tonnes of sand over the protected Dwejra rock-face.

|
|
|
NGO Contribution to Valletta’s Regeneration
18/11/10 - Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar backs the main objectives of the Fort St Elmo and Environs Development Brief to restore and rehabilitate the Fort as a cultural & recreational tourist attraction housing museums, a heritage trail and cultural facilities.

|
|
|
Heritage Protection - A National Priority
12/12/10 - Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes the news that protection is to be given to sixteen historic sites through scheduling by MEPA’s heritage unit. This confirms the increased importance being given by the authorities to the protection of our heritage. FAA has lobbied on behalf of several of these sites; unfortunately, the Qormi Armoury and the Dar tal-Kastellan in Zejtun have already been extensively harmed by insensitive development in spite of their having the value of Grade 1 properties. This highlights the importance of strengthening the Heritage Unit to speed up the scheduling of many important buildings that are still unprotected.

|
|
|
HERITAGE NGO AND RESIDENTS’ GROUPS UNITE TO SAVE HERITAGE.... 23.10.10
The synergy created by environment NGOs and residents’ groups in recent years has brought great benefits to our society; whereas previously citizens had no voice to express their concern about their deteriorating surroundings, they now know that they can influence events in a democratic way.
St. Paul’s Bay residents have good reason to be satisfied that their long years of campaigning have resulted in MEPA’s refusing the appeal on Triq it-Tonn, where developers have been applying to build on the foreshore.

|

|
|
FAA Apeals MEPA decision on Valletta Regenration Project.... 22.9.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar has lodged an appeal against the decision of the MEPA Board to grant Planning Application 03521/09 for “the construction of a new city gate for Valletta, Parliament building, new theatre at the Royal Opera House and ditch landscaping”. Whilst reiterating that it favours the regeneration of the City Gate area, FAA maintains that the decision to build a new parliament house runs counter to the Structure Plan Policy Com 1 which states: ‘A new Government administration centre will be developed outside Valletta to house most Government Departments, while Parliament itself and the Ministries will concentrate in the palaces and auberges of Valletta’.

|

|
|
MEPA Ignores Safety Requirements.... 14.9.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) deplores the manner in which the decision on the Marsaskala “rooftop public garden” was summarily decided, taking the public back to the bad old days of pre-reform MEPA. FAA is representing Marsaskala residents in their struggle to protect their rights to retain a public garden in a former green area which was given over to speculation in the 2006 Local Plans as long as the roof “was to be improved as a public urban open space”.

|

|
|
Heritage Preservation and Blind Eyes.... 11.9.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) is heartened to note that the restoration of Fort St Angelo is picking up momentum and augurs that the 10 million Euros required for the urgently-needed repairs are made available as soon as possible, just as funds have been found for other, less urgent projects.

|

|
|
MEPA Rewards Illegalities.... 17.7.10
The environment NGOs Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, NatureTrust Malta and Ramblers’ Association of Malta are pleased to note that MEPA reform is picking up momentum; the MEPA Reform Act has now become law and the Environment Protection Department is being strengthened by an additional 45 staff members. Moreover an Environment Policy for the Maltese Islands is being drawn up to address Malta’s environmental concerns by bringing the policies and actions of all Government ministries in line with the proposals of the environment document. If it actually comes about, this would be a welcome change from the present situation, where different ministries routinely violate environmental guidelines.

|

|
|
Lack of Action on Air Quality Health Threat.... 4.7.10
On the 24th June it was reported that Malta had taken the easy way out on air monitoring by convincing the EU that almost half of the 52 occasions when Malta exceeded EU limits of particulate matter in our air had were due to "natural causes" like 'dust from the Sahara Desert' and sea spray.

|

|
|
Wrong Decisions are taken and will continue to be taken.... 26.6.10
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar is heartened by the MEPA Board’s request for a revision of plans for a project to construct 164 apartments, 232 garages and 960 square metres of commercial space on the site of the former Seven-Up factory in Hamrun. The issued raises at the hearing included the negative impact on the views of the Urban Conservation Area near the Wignacourt Aqueduct water tower, inadequate pedestrian areas and the traffic problems that such an intensive development could create, given the narrow streets of the area.

|

|
|
Delimara Power Station Extension Sludge.... 12.6.10
Now that the dust seems to have settled in the debate on the Delimara Power Station Extension (DPSE), the environment NGOs Friends of the Earth, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Ramblers’ Association of Malta are seriously concerned that there are still potentially serious environmental problems which have not been properly tackled.

|

|
|
Hondoq Consultation shame.... 30.5.10
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Ramblers Association deplore MEPA’s handling of the public consultation regarding the Environment Impact Assessment of the proposed hotel, villas, apartments, and yacht marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo.
In view of the fact that a sizeable crowd was expected, the Qala school hall was chosen as a large enough venue. Why then, was part of the hall partitioned off, reducing the space available?

|
|
|
NGO reaction to Hondoq ir-Rummien project.... 21.5.10
The environment and heritage NGOs Archaeological Society Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, GAIA Foundation, Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq and Ramblers Association maintain that the credibility of the Eco-Gozo campaign hangs in the balance as the Qala Creek project to build a hotel, approximately 250 residences and a yacht marina in the Hondoq hillside is assessed. The approved Gozo and Comino Local Plan proposes the Hondoq ir-Rummien area as a Site of Ecological Importance, a Site of Scientific importance for its geology, an Area of Ecological Importance and as a Category ‘A’ valley.

|
|
|
MEPA reform kicking in, hopefully.... 12.5.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes recent decisions taken by MEPA boards that indicate an increased sensitivity to public interest and, not before time, a social conscience. Friday 6th May marked a landmark decision for MEPA when a full application for the development of industrial garages in Maghtab was refused even though the site had been previously granted an outline development permit. The proposed development, which included the demolition of a disused rabbit farm and the construction of industrial premises, was deemed by the MEPA Board to go against the public interest, as the development did not respect planning policies.

|

|
|
LANDMARK DECISION BY MEPA BOARD ON APPLICATION IN MAGHTAB... 6.5.10
In a landmark decision earlier today, the MEPA Board unanimously refused to give a full development permit for an application which in August 2007 was granted an outline permit. The proposed development, which includes the demolition of a disused rabbit farm and the construction of industrial premises, was deemed by the MEPA Board to go against the public interest, as the development was not respecting the planning policies for this site.

|
|
|
BIRŻEBBUĠIA SCRAPYARD – STILL OPERATING IN SPITE OF MEPA CLOSURE 1.5.10
On 3rd April 2009 the Times of Malta reported “MEPA closes ta’ Gasparell illegal scrap yard”. Full credit is due to MEPA for such direct action. However environment and heritage group Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) points out that in spite of reports, MEPA did not carry out regular monitoring of the site. As a result, MEPA enforcement staff failed to notice that the owner frequently removes the large concrete blocks originally placed by MEPA to close off this site – as may be seen in the photos above - putting them back in place in the evenings.

|

|
|
Delimara Power Station Threat to Public Health 28.4.10
The environment NGOs Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth, NatureTrust and Ramblers are greatly concerned by the major public health issues involved in the emissions of the proposed Delimara Power Station extension to be run on heavy fuel oil.

|

|
|
Five Environmental NGos welcome MEPA Decision re Dwejra 10.4.10
The environmental NGOs – BirdLife Malta, Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Nature Trust (Malta)and Ramblers Association Malta welcome the decision by the MEPA Board not to sanction the illegally built boathouses at the Dwejra Inland Sea. The NGOs ' view this as an encouraging sign and hope that MEPA will now live up to the promised reform – that of a giving a higher priority to environmental concerns and issues as well as brining about a change in attitudes. This outcome confirms what the NGOs have been maintaining that MEPA's decisions should be based on regulations, and not on the presence or absence of objectors.

|
|
|
FAA/University Architecture Awards 2010
Months of hard work bore fruit when fourth year architecture students were awarded the Tony Mifsud Architecture Award organised by the conservation and environment group, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar in conjunction with Professor Denis de Lucca, head of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Malta

|

|
|
Stop Project Piano Petition 3.4.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) states categorically that it is not one of the organisers of the STOP PROJECT PIANO petition for which signatures are being gathered in order to request a referendum on the Valletta Rehabilitation Project. This politically-independent petition as well as a number of other Internet-driven initiatives confirm that a great many Maltese citizens across the political divide feel very strongly about this project and the fact that they were denied a say in a project of national importance to be paid out of public funds.

|
|
|
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar condemns attack 25.2.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) condemns in the strongest terms the malicious attack on one of its founder members by Stephen Calleja, as published in the Independent of 21 February.
The allegation made by Stephen Calleja is that Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar coordinator Astrid Vella, should be automatically excluded from sitting on the reformed Malta Environment and Planning Authority by virtue of the fact that Astrid Vella " has a 16.7 per cent shareholding in B.M.C. Developments Limited".

|
|
|
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar calls for legality and EIA on Valletta Plans 20.2.10
The Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi recently announced that the Valletta Regeneration project will begin within months, if not weeks, “once the Malta Environment and Planning Authority gives its go-ahead.” Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) emphasises the choice of words “once the MEPA gives its go-ahead and not “if”, implying a pre-decided permit. This certainty is surprising since the project as presented violates a number of MEPA regulations.

|
|
|
Tourism at all costs? 4.1.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) recognises the need for growth in the tourism sector and its contribution to the socio-economic well being of the Maltese Islands as well as the importance of regenerating and diversifying the tourism product in order to secure our competitiveness in the sector.

|
|
|
Positive moves on the heritage front - 7.1.10
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism's recent initiative to apply for financial assistance under the European Regional Development Fund, with the intention of rehabilitating Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa.

|
 |
|
Harassment of Environmental Activists - 2.1.10
Birdlife Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), Friends of the Earth (Malta), GAIA Foundation, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement (MOAM) and Ramblers Association of Malta condemn the recent media attacks on environmental activists Astrid Vella, FAA Coordinator, and Lino Bugeja, President of the Ramblers Association of Malta.

|
 |
|
FAA welcomes Budget measures - 9.11.09
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar welcomes the importance given to heritage in this Budget, as shown by the funds allocated to the restoration of the Palace, the Birgu collacchio, the Cittadella and various other heritage sites in Malta and Gozo.

|
 |
|
Wied Ghajn Zejtuna and Balluta Valley - 9.11.09
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes the announcement that MEPA has scheduled Wied Ghajn Zejtuna at the Santa Maria Estate in Mellieha. Although limited in size, this area forms a rich eco-system supported by the permanent the freshwater spring which runs through it.

|
 |
|
Trees, not cars at Balluta Square - 7.11.09
FAA voices its concern over the St Julian’s Local Council’s March 2009 decision to pursue its project to create a car park accomodating 130 cars in Balluta Square, and deplores the fact that this project was not discussed with local residents before being decided upon.

|
 |
|
Ensuring the survival of our heritage building- 31.10.09
The heritage and environment group Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) welcomes the initiative by Government to acquire properties that are of cultural or historical significance so that they may be preserved for posterity by the Nation.

|
 |
|
University students provide design solutions in sensitive areas - 22.10.09
Architecture awards set up by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) in conjunction with the University Architecture Department are sensitising tomorrow’s architects to the particular needs of rural and historic areas. “FAA wanted to create something positive that would contribute to the nation so they set up the Julian Manduca Award for sustainable development of rural areas and the Tony Mifsud award for urban conservation projects” explained Sir Martin Laing, opening the award ceremony on behalf of FAA.

|
 |
|
The nation’s health continues to be ignored - 14.10.09
It is commendable that Malta has made the seemingly impossible undertaking to meet the EU legally-binding limits on air pollutants by next year, through increased use of the CCGT plant, combustion optimisation and modification of boilers at the Delimara generation plant, however this still ignores the more immediate and direct threat to peoples' health from street level traffic pollution.

|
 |
|
Heritage: Let's get our priorities right - 26.09.09
In the space of just five days Malta has experienced two major heritage setbacks: the closure of Fort St Angelo due to dangerous structural cracks and the collapse of a section of the Floriana fortifications. Neither of these was an overnight development. The deteriorating situation at St Angelo has been known and highlighted in the press for some time, however Heritage Malta lacks the funds to carry out the necessary large scale restoration works.

|
 |
|
Positive developments in urban preservation - 19.09.09
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar commends the recent restoration and official opening of Villa Francia, the latest in a series of successful restoration projects which includes the restoration of the chapel of Our Saviour at Kalkara, as well as the rehabilitation works being carried out on the façades of the Palace, the Biblioteca, the Auberge de Castille, Maison Demandols, Liesse Church not to mention kilometers of bastions.

|
 |
|
Siting of New Parliament Building - 13.09.09
It is now clear that instructions given to architect Renzo Piano were to design a parliament building and restore dignity to City Gate. The rebuilding of the opera house has been discussed intermittently since its destruction, but the idea of a parliament building was merely mentioned to the public and never revived, although Piano has been working on the project for around three years.

|
 |
|
Actions on Vehicle Emissions - 31.08.09
It was recently announced that Malta will request exemption from EU rules on air quality and PM10 particulate traffic pollution until mid-2011. The standard approach of our Government seems to be that of ignoring EU policies and then applying for exemptions. There is now irrefutable, damning scientific proof confirming the adverse health effects of traffic pollution, especially that caused by faulty diesel engines. .

|
 |
|
Environment Impact Assessments Consultants’ Registration and Review Board - 30.08.09
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) is encouraged by recent developments leading to the setting up of a Register of Environment Impact Assessment Consultants, a measure FAA has been calling for ever since its inception. The Registration and Review Board that has been set up will ensure that professionals carrying out environment assessments and coordination have the right qualifications, skills, training and experience to draw up reports within their specific field.

|
 |
|
Renzo Piano Plan for the opera house site - 29.07.09
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar cannot understand the reasoning behind the decision to construct a theatre without a roof on the opera house site, a budgetary compromise which will limit its use in winter as well as in summer when Valletta is subjected to festa noise four days a week. Performances would also be disturbed by the private functions which are held regularly in the public gardens, the summer festival at the Argotti gardens, the Isle of MTV and other concerts on the granaries, the Jazz Festival and 21st September celebrations.

|
 |
|
Renzo Piano Plan for City Gate and Transport - 27.07.09
Whilst recognising the difficulty of redesigning City Gate following the rather insensitive construction of the present gate in 1964, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) suggests that something more than a bare gap in the bastions might be more suited as the main entrance to a fortified city, especially since continuity of the bastion line was essential for its function and ethos. The plans as submitted do not reflect the particular character of our fortified capital. We may feel that that it is time to move on from this image of Valletta, but has this been studied, and accepted and accepted in view of both Valletta’s history and touristic draw

|
 |