The green whistleblower

Abstract

Reading about the AX Group's 30th anniversary and the views of the newly-fledged duplex suites at Verdala (The Sunday Times, September 4), I could not help thinking that the real story behind all the gloss has been conveniently swept under the carpet. Such duplex suites have been recently rechristened Virtù Heights, as if to dispel any lingering bad impressions about them. The saga of the Verdala duplex suites started way back in 1995 and is still not over, since neighbouring residents are still tied down by court proceedings against the developer, after the response they got from the Ombudsman (to whom they also resorted) turned out to be obsolete. Despite strong objections from the Rabat council, from residents and even despite a strong recommendation of refusal from the Directorate, PA 8125/94, for the construction of the Verdala Mansions, alterations to the existing hotel, extensions to St Catherine's Street, slab extension, basement garages and the duplex suites was tacitly approved by the MEPA board.