New caravan site proposed in Marsascala

A private caravan site is being proposed on what is presently a 5,775 square metre undeveloped site, located next to the 140 illegal beach houses in St Thomas Bay in Marsascala, in an area known at Tal Munxar.

The proposal envisages the creation of nine new caravans and mobile homes, a swimming pool, a play area, parking and storage facilities and a snack bar.

A Project Development Statement presented to MEPA claims that the site is currently vacant and enclosed by a boundary wall and secured with a steel gate. Vegetation on site consists of a number of randomly scattered fig trees.

The PDS claims that due to the presence of neighbouring boathouses, the area is ideal for a caravan park. The area surrounding the site is already being used illegally for the placement of caravans and other structures. 

The PDS contends that a well-managed, self-contained caravan park would help in eliminating illegally and randomly placed caravans over public land, the littering on the latter and the parking of vehicles along the coastline.

The local plan approved in 2006 states that MEPA should prepare an Action Plan for the St Thomas Bay Coastal Recreation Area. The site falls within the parameters of this area, as do a number of illegal beach rooms in the vicinity of the site. But MEPA has never prepared such a policy and a number of applications to legalise existing boathouses have been recommended for refusal by the Planning Directorate.

The local plan states clearly that no extensions to existing beach rooms or additional beach rooms can be permitted until the approval of the new plan.

Although the Action Plan does not consider any new development in the area, the developers claim that the currently proposed project is in line with its objectives.

The developers claim that the development will be environmentally friendly and reversible.