‘Vote Owen, get George’ – NGO questions Nigret mega development

Imagine waking up one morning to find that the quiet street you’ve lived on for years is set to become a bustling thoroughfare, with towering buildings blocking your view of the Mediterranean. This is the reality facing residents of Nigret, a small village in the northern part of Malta, thanks to a proposed mega-development by local businessman Joe Gerada.

From Farmland to High-Rise: The Proposed Development

The Nigret project, if approved, will see Gerada’s company, G & G Holdings, transform a large tract of farmland into a mixed-use development. Plans include residential towers up to 16 storeys high, a hotel, retail outlets, and offices. But it’s the scale of the project that has residents and environmentalists up in arms.

Nigret, with its narrow streets and traditional houses, is a world away from the high-rise developments that dominate parts of Sliema and St. Julian’s. The proposed development, covering around 110,000 square metres, would dwarf the existing village, changing it beyond recognition.

An Election Ploy?

Adding fuel to the fire is the timing of the project’s announcement, just months before the next general election. Gerada is a prominent member of the Nationalist Party (PN), and some have suggested that the Nigret development is a sweetener to win votes in the area.

“Vote Owen, get George” is the slogan being bandied about on social media, a play on words referring to PN leader Bernard Grech (Owen) and Gerada (George). Grech has distanced himself from the Nigret project, but the perception remains that the PN is using Gerada’s development as a carrot to win votes in the north.

Environmental Concerns and Alternatives

Beyond the political implications, there are serious environmental concerns. The proposed development would mean the loss of valuable farmland and increased traffic congestion on already busy roads. The Malta Developers Association has backed the project, arguing that it will bring jobs and investment to the area. But environmental NGOs like Din l-Art Ħelwa and Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) have criticized the lack of consultation with residents and the potential impact on the environment.

FAA has proposed an alternative vision for Nigret, one that respects the village’s character and promotes sustainable development. Instead of high-rise towers, they suggest low-rise buildings that blend in with the existing architecture, along with green spaces and pedestrian-friendly streets.

But with the project already submitted to the Planning Authority, it’s a race against time for opponents to make their voices heard.

“We’re not against development, but we want development that’s sustainable and respects the character of our village,” says Nigret resident Maria Xuereb. “We’re not going to stand by and watch our home be destroyed.”

As the debate over Nigret continues, one thing is clear: the future of this quiet Maltese village hangs in the balance, and with it, the future of Malta’s approach to development.