The response was overwhelming, letters and emails poured in from people from all walks of life, all political persuasions and from all over Malta. These expressed serious concerns about unlawful development practices and urged the government to take action and to cease its collusion with the developers. Jeremy Boissevain described it as "one of the most important developments that has occurred in the process of the emancipation of civil society in Malta".

As a consequence of these events a non-political pressure group called 'Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar' (FAA) has come together. The aim of this group is to raise awareness among the general public about the ongoing systematic destruction of our urban and rural heritage and to provide people with an opportunity to make their voices heard. It is the intention of FAA to oppose offending new developments by challenging the government by every possible means. Until now the feeling has prevailed that nothing could be done to bring about change. People have felt helpless against the few who took these decisions which resulted in the continuing destruction of our surroundings. Each successive demolition was accepted with resignation since every development seemed to be inevitable - a fait accompli. In instances where people have objected or on the rare occasions when they were consulted, the matter was usually bulldozed through anyway in the highhanded way we have come to regard as typical of our rulers.

Things have gone too far and there is increasing concern about the damage that continues to be done to our country. It is clear that new policies are needed, or existing ones reversed, to integrate all aspects of the island's administration rationally and with long-term vision. Existing laws and regulations must be enforced with new vigour. Where needed, clear and unambiguous new legislation and a new Structure Plan for Malta, must be passed and enforced expeditiously. Elected officials must prove their commitment to policies that meet the people's rightful expectations on the protection of our birthright.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar embraces the whole of Malta and Gozo. Its spirit is reflected in the motto "the power of one, the strength of many".

The main aims of the FAA are to provide positive, viable alternatives to:

• The destruction of our traditional village cores and urban areas by the demolition of old houses which are replaced by buildings or commercial premises totally lacking in character or architectural merit and not in harmony with their surroundings.
• The encroachment of the countryside by unregulated building, and the misuse of ecologically-sensitive open land like Xaghra il-Hamra and Ta' Cenc for speculative projects like golf courses.
• The lack of enforcement against illegal hunting and trapping that close off large areas of land and seashore to the public.

We cannot afford to keep silent any longer just looking on as week by week Malta loses more of its rural and urban heritage.

8th April 2006