Balzan and Lija are among Malta’s most beautiful villages, featuring historic streetscapes and heritage buildings, but one area seems to be under threat.

In a statement issued to social media this morning, the Local Councils for Balzan and Lija have teamed up to express their concern in relation to a proposed development at Moulin D’Or, which they say “is a cause for much concern for both councils.”

In their joint appeal “to good sense and logic”, the councils refer to how they’ve both favoured a balanced approach when it comes to the need for development and the preservation of the villages’ historical heritage, highlighting how the development in question is a real cause for concern.

Pointing out that the proposed height of the development is well above the current Local Plan height designations, the statement laments that “should the proposed development be approved it will most likely set the precident for future developments in the vicinty.”

Seeing as the development borders an Urban Conservation Area from two sides, the councils appeal for its surroundings to be taken into account, also raising the alarm that no study seems to have been carried out as to how the skyline of the village will be impacted should it go ahead.

Concluding their appeal, the statement expresses the councils’ “grave concern” at the current proposed development, campaigning for a more suitable way of developing the project with respect towards the area and legal guidelines. 

Here’s hoping the Local Councils’ appeal will be taken into account, so that they can continue to preserve the area’s historic beauty!