'Law-breaking' St Julian's coastal development given blessing by authorities, AD insists

Alternattiva Demokratika have denounced a coastal development near Balluta Bay, St Julian's, which they are insisting is in breach of planning laws.

AD chairperson Carmelo Cacopardo said the proposed office and catering development, located just off the Barracuda restaurant, would be built not just along the public shoreline but at higher levels as well, and jut out over the sea.

"It is now almost three years since Parliament unanimously approved amendments to the Civil Code through which it tried to give the impression that it was strengthening coastal protection," Cacopardo said. "The authorities do not have the political will to protect the coast."

The development is being promoted by Michael Stivala, the Malta Developers Association's secretary general.

Multiple applications relative to the development in Sliema have been approved

Cacopardo accused the Planning Authority of failing to do its duty to protect the coast when it has already approved three different permits relative to this site, with a fourth one in the pipeline.

"After businesses were allowed to take over our pavements together with parking spaces which they integrated with their outlets, they are now bent on not just taking over the coast but also on taking over the sea," Cacopardo said.

AD accused the Planning Authority and Lands Authority from shirking their duty of protecting public land from private interest

Cacopardo also accused the Lands Authority of not doing its duty to protect public land from private interests. Cacopardo called upon Lands Authority chairperson Lino Farrugia Sacco to "wake up from his slumber in order to ensure that the Lands Authority wakes up and shoulders its responsibilities."