Qawra hotels target coastline for new development

A hard-hitting declaration by the Environment and Resources Authority could have an impact on planning applications for coastal facilities.

In a reaction to a proposed redevelopment of the three-storey Sea View hotel at Qawra into a 12-storey, 204-room hotel, the ERA declared: “The laying of sunbeds on the coastal area is unacceptable in principle from an environmental point of view.”

The application in fact includes a proposal to change the use of existing boathouses on the other side of the road, to store beach furniture and the laying of sunbeds on the beach.

Plans presented to the Planning Authority envisage the laying of 50 sunbeds on the coastline.

But the ERA has already expressed its concern on the matter.

“The laying of sunbeds on the beach would contribute to the further take up of the remaining coast for the further intensification of commercial activity in the area and would contribute to the further environmental degradation and formalisation of this coastal area”.

The ERA is also concerned that the take-up of coastal space for the laying of sunbeds would result in additional pressures for the further expansion of the beach towards the marine area, which in this case is protected as a Special Area of Conservation and Natura 2000 site.

Another application which impinges on the coastline, is that presented by Silvio Debono’s San Antonio Hotel, also in Qawra.

The application envisages the excavation of an underground tunnel, the demolition of an existing kiosk and the construction of a beach lido linked to the San Antonio Hotel.

The beach lido is being proposed on the artificial beach instead of a kiosk and public amenities like toilets, which were approved by the Planning Authority in 2006 in an application presented by the government.

The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing structures approved in 2006, and replace them with a beach lido that will include a “lido bar” supported by an underground kitchen and sanitary facilities.

The ERA is not objecting to this application because the area where the beach development is set to take place is already committed, and the proposed works would not involve additional land take-up from the sandy beach. The application does not make any reference to the take-up of the sandy beach by sunbeds.

Recently the Qawra Palace Hotel was granted permission for a 216 sq.m sun deck on the coast beneath its lido.  The sun deck was approved along with an extension of the existing pizzeria and gelateria on the Qawra promenade, in a permit issued by the Planning Authority’s Environment Planning Commission. 

But the PA has also ordered the hotel to put up signage indicating that the site is a public area.

The decking will be placed on that part of the foreshore which is already “compromised by the pouring of concrete” in the past. 

Map of the Bugibba-Qawra area where the Seaview hotel (marker) is located. Developer Isaac Vella presented two separate applications for the proposed 12-storey reconstruction: one to demolish the existing hotel and another to construct the hotel and beach lido

Hotel demolition set for approval

Developer Isaac Vella has presented two separate applications for the proposed 12-storey Sea View hotel: one to demolish the existing one and another to construct the hotel and beach lido. Usually both the demolition of a site and its replacement building are approved in a single application.

At the initial stages of processing of the application to demolish the existing hotel, the PA’s planning directorate raised concerns that this application is proposing excavation of a site without a proposed development as an after use of the site. “Whilst an application has been submitted to propose the demolition and construction of a new hotel on site, concerns were raised with respect to piecemeal processing of separate applications on site without a comprehensive phasing masterplan.”

Architect and Labour MP Charles Buhagiar replied that the project comprises two phases: the first being the demolition of the building and excavation below road level, and a second phase consisting of the construction of the new hotel. The planning directorate dropped its initial objection by noting that the application for demolishing the hotel was “submitted to commence the works on site in preparation of the eventual construction works”.

A decision on the proposed demolition of the existing hotel and the excavation of the site is set for 25 April. This means that if the proposed 12-storey hotel and ancillary development is not subsequently approved, the site could remain a hole in the ground.