Di-ve.com, 23rd June 2008, by Chris Galea
The Ta’ Masrija Action Group have joined the chorus of objectors who are voicing their concern over MEPA’s approval of the outline development permit for a high construction on Xemxija Hill, on the site formerly occupied by the Mistra Village.

The residents of Ta’ Masrija in Mellieha said they believe that such a development would create traffic-flow issues on the already congested roads leading to Mellieha and also create a dangerous precedent to the application of Floor Area Ration (FAR) on high ridges.

The Group pointed out that, besides the negative visual impact and the dramatic increase in the population density of the area, such a construction could also lead to various forms of pollution and possibly an overload of the services infrastructure of the neighbourhood.

It also commented that the project seems to be contradicting MEPA’s own draft policy, which states explicitly that FAR should not be applied on high ridges.

The Ta’ Masrija Action Group also pointed out that it has already objected to MEPA over a similar project which aims to apply FAR on the ridge overlooking the Natura 2000 Mizieb Valley – one of the highest points on the island.