Nigret Development: ‘Vote Owen, Get George’ – NGO Challenges Mega Project
Mystery in Malta’s Planning: ‘Vote Owen, Get George’ – NGO Raises Eyebrows over Nigret Development
Picture this: You’re walking down Triq San Ġużepp in Nigret, a quiet, traditional village in Malta’s Northern Region. You’ve known this street all your life – the old church, the family-run shops, the tight-knit community. Now, imagine waking up one day to find a 12-story high-rise looming over your backyard. Welcome to the world of Malta’s planning conundrums.
The Nigret Development: A Giant Among Giants
The Nigret development, a brainchild of local businessman George Fenech, is no ordinary project. Slated to be one of the tallest buildings in Malta, it’s set to transform the sleepy village into a concrete jungle. The plan? A 12-story mixed-use development, complete with residential units, offices, and retail spaces. But here’s where it gets interesting.
George Fenech, you ask? Yes, that George Fenech – the same George Fenech who, until recently, was the Labour Party’s candidate for the 13th District, which includes Nigret. And yes, that’s the same 13th District where Owen Bonnici, the Nationalist Party’s candidate, has been the MP since 2017.
“Vote Owen, Get George”: An NGO’s Concern
Malta’s Planning Authority (MPA) approved the Nigret development in late 2021, just months after Fenech’s electoral defeat. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by local NGOs, who smell a rat. “It’s like voting for Owen and ending up with George,” quips Simon Mercieca, spokesperson for Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), an environmental NGO that’s been vocal about the project.
FAA argues that the Nigret development is a textbook case of Malta’s planning woes. “We’re seeing a lack of transparency, a disregard for local communities, and a planning system that seems to favor big business over sustainable development,” Mercieca says.
The MPA’s Response: “No Conflict of Interest”
The MPA, however, maintains that there’s no conflict of interest. “The planning process is independent and impartial,” a spokesperson insists. “Political considerations do not influence our decisions.” The Authority points to the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA), which, they claim, addresses the development’s potential impacts.
But FAA isn’t buying it. “The EIA is a joke,” Mercieca retorts. “It glosses over the project’s impacts on traffic, infrastructure, and the local community. It’s like they’re trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.”
The Future of Nigret: A Battle of Giants
The Nigret development is far from a done deal. FAA, along with other local NGOs and residents, is challenging the MPA’s decision in court. Meanwhile, the project’s opponents are gearing up for a fight. “We’re not against development,” Mercieca says. “We’re against bad development. And this, my friends, is as bad as it gets.”
As the battle for Nigret’s skyline rages on, one thing is clear: Malta’s planning system is in for a shake-up. Whether it’s a gentle nudge or a full-blown revolution remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure – the days of ‘vote Owen, get George’ are numbered.
