‘We will fight this obscenity’ – Pembroke residents oppose football club plans

Imagine waking up to the sound of bulldozers instead of birdsong. This is the reality facing residents of Pembroke’s Santa Margarita Hill, as plans for a new football training facility threaten to uproot their peaceful community.

From Green Oasis to Football Pitch?

At the heart of the controversy lies a plot of land off Triq Santa Margarita, currently a verdant oasis of greenery and home to a variety of wildlife. The Malta Football Association (MFA) has earmarked this site for a state-of-the-art training facility, complete with floodlit pitches and a 500-seater stand. But the plans have sparked outrage among locals, who fear the development will spell the end of their tranquil way of life.

“We moved here for the peace and quiet,” says Maria, a long-time resident. “Now we’re looking at noise pollution, traffic congestion, and the loss of our green space. It’s an obscenity.”

Residents United

Residents have formed the ‘Save Santa Margarita Hill’ campaign, determined to protect their neighborhood. They’ve held public meetings, collected signatures, and even launched a petition that’s garnered over 2,000 signatures. Their fight has caught the attention of local politicians, with Opposition Leader Bernard Grech vowing to support the residents’ cause.

“This is not just about Pembroke,” he says. “It’s about the right of every community to have a say in developments that affect them. We will fight this together with the residents.”

The MFA’s Perspective

The MFA maintains that the new facility is necessary to accommodate the growing number of teams and players in Malta. They’ve also promised to incorporate environmental considerations into their plans, including tree planting and noise reduction measures.

“We understand the residents’ concerns,” says MFA President Bjorn Vassallo. “But we believe this facility will bring significant benefits to the community, including new job opportunities and a boost to local businesses.”

However, residents remain skeptical. “We’re not against progress,” says campaign spokesperson Joe Borg. “But this is the wrong place for this development. There are other sites the MFA could consider.”

As the battle lines are drawn, one thing is clear: the future of Santa Margarita Hill hangs in the balance. The coming weeks and months will see heated debates, passionate protests, and perhaps even legal challenges. But one thing is certain – the residents of Pembroke will not go down without a fight.