The planning permitting process for a new green space in Triq il-Għasel in Mellieħa is underway. Spread over an area of approximately 2,000 square metres, this garden is one of 16 projects being carried in close collaboration between Project Green and local councils. The Mellieħa project is being implemented with financial support of Project Green.
During a site visit with Minister for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli, the Mellieħa Local Council and Project Green gave an overview of the project. The garden will include relaxation spaces with native trees to increase the amount of shade, playgrounds for children, an area that will serve as an educational workshop and another area for bee pollination. Part of the physical works include the restoration of rubble walls around the garden. To make this space sustainable, solar powered lighting will be installed and a reservoir will also be built to capture rainwater. The ground material will also be permeable so that rainwater continues to flow into the reservoir.
“This new space in Mellieħa will be one of a number of projects for which we have dedicated €10 million in total. Priority was given to those projects that integrate with the community and the characteristics of the area. We sought projects that contained educational and sports elements. In fact, this is one of the gardens that embraces the concept of nature-based learning, where the garden also can be used by schools,” explained the minister.
Project Green CEO, Joseph Cuschieri said, “The Community Greening Grant is a clear example of how Project Green is working thoroughly with local councils and non-governmental organisations to jointly create new green open spaces in urban areas, close to people’s homes. A lot of work is being carried out at the moment and apart from this project in Mellieħa, a number of other projects under this Grant are already well under way, including the Fruit Forest project in Imtarfa, Għajnsielem project in Gozo, and the picnic site in Ħal Ghaxaq.”
Mellieħa Local Council Mayor, Dario Vella explained that after the local council submitted the plans to the Planning Authority, the process is currently underway to issue the necessary permits, so that physical works on the garden can initiate.
“Thanks to an agreement between Project Green and Mellieħa Local Council, abandoned land will be turned into a green open space for all families. In addition, this garden will also have an educational area for the community as well as three reservoirs to water the garden’s own trees. It will be a space that caters for all. This project with Project Green will be one of the biggest projects to ever be carried out in Mellieħa,” said Mayor Dario Vella.
The investment on this project is expected to exceed €2 million.
