No consent yet for Qui-Si-Sana beach, government says

The Government Property Division has not issued its consent for the development of a private beach on 800 square meter of public land in Qui-Si-Sana, a spokesperson for parliamentary secretary Michael Farrugia told MaltaToday.

This clearly contrasts with the application presented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority whiuch states that the applicant has notified the government of its intention to apply and the owner "has granted consent to such a proposal."

Replying to questions sent by MaltaToday three weeks ago, a government spokesperson insisted "no consent is needed and that no consent at this stage was granted by the GPD,"citing a section of the Environment and Planning Law which states that consent of the owner is always required except when the applicant holds a lease on the property in question.  In such cases the applicant is only expected to inform the government property division and confirm that the site is in government ownership.  

When presenting an applications, applicants have three options; either to register as the sole owners of the land, to declare that they do not own the land in question but have the consent of the owners or to declare that they hold the site under a title of a lease.  In this case the applicant had chosen to state that he has the consent of the owner.

MaltaToday is still confirming what leases exist on this site and when these leases were issued.

The Sliema Local Council is objecting to a development of leisure facilities on 800 square metres of pristine rocky shoreline in Qui-Si-Sana just below the Qui-Si-Sana public garden.

The development is earmarked for "leisure development" which consists in lavatories, showers, an attendant's area and rows of sun beds, which are set to cover the rocky shoreline. The application was presented by hotelier Michael Stivala on 15 March and was published in newspapers on 21 September.

"Such a project will deny full public access on to what is presently public land," the Sliema council said in an official objection letter sent to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The Sliema council described the site in question as a "stretch of pristine rocky coastline" made up of globerigina limestone and characterized by rocky pools, which are rich in marine flora and fauna.

The council also points out that a World War II structure known as the coastal Artillery Search Light overlooks the site. Although the application does not impact on this recently restored historical monument, it would result in the destruction of its context.

A petition featuring an open letter to the prime minister, the Director of Lands and the chairman of Mepa protesting over the proposed development and calling for a stop to the privatisation of public beaches is being circulated on facebook.