Marsalforn beach application sparks protests

Two environmental organisations have protested over an application submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority by Otters ASC, which wants to further encroach upon public land at Marsalforn.

In a statement, environmental NGOs Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) and the Ramblers Association said they objected to the application, which is expected to be discussed by the Mepa board tomorrow.

They said 234 square metres of the waterpolo facilities granted to the club have been sub-leased as a seaside restaurant and a further 597 square metres of foreshore was transferred to the club by the Government in 2004, without rights of public access being reserved.

The club was now applying for a permit for the construction of a seawater pool, pump room, stores and restrooms.

The NGOs said they could not tolerate the expropriation of more foreshore, this time under the pretext of sporting facilities.

The organisations called on Mepa to turn down the application on the grounds that it violates the structure plan concerning not only access to the seashore but also conservation of heritage. They said the application threatened the destruction of centuries-old salt-pans.

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Subsequent to this PR, the application was unanimously refused by the MEPA DCC board.

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The Executive

Our beginnings

The Ramblers Association of Malta was set up in February 2005 on the initiative of Lino Bugeja who had long led a one-man campaign in the press against whole swathes of countryside and a good number of country paths and lanes being closed off little by little by means of gates, fences and those ubiquitous signs claiming " RTO " or suchlike. The initial meeting to set up the association held at the Din l-Art Helwa premises in Valletta attracted a turnout of around 300 persons eager to share their experiences and do something positive to reclaim the countryside for the benefit of all. An ad-hoc committee was set up to start the ball rolling in preparation for the first general meeting held in October 2005. Once again the public responded positively to this meeting and a committee was elected to serve for two years with the energetic Lino Bugeja being reconfirmed as President of the Association