ADPD: ‘Reverse Land Transfer or Face Mellieħa’s Wrath’

Imagine standing on Mellieħa Bay’s golden sands, the Mediterranean’s turquoise waters stretching out before you. Now, picture a concrete jungle replacing this idyllic scene. This is the stark reality the Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) fears, as it calls on the government to halt the transfer of public land in Mellieħa to a private developer.

Land Grab: The Facts

The Agriculture Ministry recently announced plans to transfer 14,000 square metres of public land in Mellieħa to a private developer for residential and commercial projects. ADPD, the environmentalist wing of the Alternattiva Demokratika party, argues this goes against the government’s promises to protect Malta’s green spaces and promote sustainable development.

“This is a clear case of the government prioritising developers’ interests over the environment and the people of Mellieħa,” said ADPD’s Michael Briguglio. “We’re calling on the government to reverse this decision and engage in meaningful dialogue with the local community and environmental NGOs.”

Mellieħa’s Outcry

Mellieħa residents have been up in arms since the announcement. A petition calling for the land transfer to be halted has gathered over 2,000 signatures. “We’ve already lost so much of our green spaces to development,” said one signer, Mellieħa resident Maria Grech. “We can’t let this happen. Our children deserve to grow up with nature, not concrete.”

Local Councillor and AD member, Paul Galea, echoed these sentiments. “Mellieħa is not just a summer resort. It’s a living, breathing community. We need to protect our green spaces, not pave them over.”

ADPD’s Alternatives

ADPD is proposing alternative uses for the land that align with Mellieħa’s needs and the government’s sustainability goals. These include creating a public park, expanding the existing sports facilities, or even establishing an eco-tourism venture.

“We’re not against development,” Briguglio clarified. “But it must be sustainable, respectful of our environment, and responsive to the community’s needs. This land transfer is none of those things.”

As the government remains tight-lipped about the land transfer, one thing is clear: Mellieħa’s residents and ADPD won’t go down without a fight. The future of Mellieħa’s green spaces hangs in the balance, and the people are ready to make their voices heard.