Press Releases

04 Dec 2013

Rejection of Commissioner’s findings indicates that government has no intention of protecting the environment

Press Release 4th December 2013 Din l-Art Helwa has expressed its disappointment at the outright rejection by Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Dr Michael Farrugia of the report of the Commissioner for Environment and Planning following his investigation into the procedures that led to the granting of permits for the redevelopment of Mistra Village.   The Commissioner found that the NGO was justified when it instigated its request to revoke the planning decisions by Mepa that are...

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02 Dec 2013

Revocation of Mistra permit is justified says Environment and Planning Commissioner

Press Release 2nd December 2013 The Final Report by the Environment and Planning Commissioner in the Office of the Ombudsman on the investigation into the granting of development permits by MEPA for a high rise complex at MistraVillage has found the revocation of the permits to be justified.  The investigation was requested by Din l-Art Helwa when the organisation invoked Article 77...

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27 Nov 2013

A Ministry for Over-Development?

Following its recently launched policy for building outside the development zones, the government has now issued its draft regulations on high buildings, known as the Floor Area Ratio policy. With its drive for land reclamation and the promotion of so-called ‘landmark’ high-rise buildings, the government’s vision for Malta appears to be based on the urban landscape of Dubai, says environment...

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23 Nov 2013

Din l-Art Helwa deplores threats made by Ta’ Cenc developers – UPDATED

Din l-Art Helwa stands full square behind its Council Member Stanley Farrugia Randon who was subjected to bullying tactics by Ta’ Cenc developers at a Mepa hearing yesterday which ended with police intervention.   Dr Farrugia Randon was attending a Mepa Board hearing during which the board unanimously refused the permit for the erection of a gate at Ta’ Kantra prohibiting public access over the rocky inlet at Mgarr ix Xini, in...

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23 Nov 2013

Citizens to march in defence of the environment

Environment groups and citizens concerned that Government is not fulfilling its obligations to defend their right to a healthy environment are to raise their voices in protest against the introduction of new planning regulations that relax building restrictions and will bring further over-development of the country. A protest march organised on Saturday 30 November in Valletta will demand that government...

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03 Nov 2013

The government shows no intention of protecting the environment

Press Release – 3rd November 2013 The new government has been in place for eight months, and so far the only direction for the environment seems to be to exploit and use it to the maximum, says Din l-Art Helwa.  There is an emerging scenario in which it is evident that it is now only the NGOs left to champion the...

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30 Oct 2013

Mistra Village project design not acceptable, says Din l-Art Helwa

The proposed Mistra Village project lies on a ridge and will have a huge and permanent visual impact on the surrounding area, states Din l-Art Helwa, adding that that no high-rise buildings should be constructed on ridges.  The organisation is set firmly against this project in principle and finds its design ordinary, and against the...

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27 Oct 2013

Din l-Art Helwa demands that outline permit for Mistra Village development is revoked

Press Release – 26th October 2013 NGO invokes Article 77 of the Environment and Planning Act Din L-Art Helwa intends to stand its ground regarding the outline permit for the redevelopment of MistraVillage at Xemxija, a project which the organisation describes as ‘monstrous’.  Din l-Art Helwa has written to the Mepa Board  stating that the approval of...

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