16 April 2007 Rating 66% No Comment  

Presently, across Malta and Gozo, a number of hotels have closed down or will soon be closing their doors. Many of these hotels were built on public land loaned by earlier governments on a lease basis. The original aim behind these developments was job creation. Some such cases are: The Crowne Plaza, Mistra Village, Hal Ferh and Jerma Palace. Moviment Graffitti is concerned about the public land which was loaned on lease for the building of such hotels. These lands are now being sold for the development of luxury apartments for speculation purposes. This surely is not what social justice is about. "The government's actions result in ever-soaring property prices." The case of The Crowne Plaza Hotel is proof enough. The Crowne Plaza Hotel shows the sale of public land going to private investors for the development of luxury apartments. Much of Tigne, a public space, was sold to private investors without any concern for social purposes. This is a typical example illustrating how concerns for the Maltese were discarded. Moviment Graffitti believes that public land which was built into hotels should not be sold for speculation purposes, since land is a limited resource. MEPA still has many applications pending for the development of hotels. "We cannot speak of sustainability until serious planning with regards to land use is implemented. We urge the Government and related authorities to further work on land use sustainability so that land which has been built into hotels, retains its present scope." In conclusion, Moviment Graffitti believes that since land is a limited resource in Malta, an effort should be made for land use to be planned wisely and in a sustainable pattern.