News • 20 July 2003

MEPA recommends refusal for former Jumbo Lido

Nearly Lm80,000 owed in rent

The former Jumbo Lido in Qui-si-sana was never an architectural gem and many wished it was never built, but now it has been abandoned to the elements, many of which are not pleasant.

According to the Lands Department the tenants owe Lm 78,881 in rent unpaid over the years and a court case has been instituted against VAB Company Ltd to recover the money.

The Jumbo Lido was given planning permission and a rental agreement at Lm9,600 per annum in 1989 and more recently changed its set up to become the Deniz Restaurant and Cafeteria, a Turkish restaurant, but the concessionaires have let it fall into a state of disrepair.

If the Lands department’s claims are verified, it would mean rent has not been paid for up to eight years.

Frank Fenech, a shareholder of VAB, said he was the owner of the Lido and told MaltaToday the place was not opened this summer because he "was waiting for a permit from MEPA."

MaltaToday contacted the Assistant Director of Lands about the Lido and was told "it is the duty of the lessee to keep the place in good order."

The building now attracts drug users by night and is quickly turning into an insect infested hellhole, but Fenech said it was not his opinion that the Lido was in a bad state.

The Malta Tourism Authority’s Director in its Planning and Development Directorate, Mario Attard told MaltaToday: "the operator has an existing licence," but added: "we are also aware that there is a pending MEPA application for the development of the site."

Fenech has applied to remodel the existing building on 28 January 2003, but the Planning Directorate is recommending a refusal and a decision on the matter is expected in the coming months.

The Sliema Local Council would like to see the structure raised to the ground and disappear, especially in view of plans to develop an underground car park in the area.

Objections have been submitted to MEPA, citing the fact that there are illegalities on the roof of the existing structure; that no structures should be allowed to be built above street level in view of public enjoyment; and because the development obstructs the views.

The MEPA case officer is recommending a refusal on the basis that the application goes against a number of planning policies including one which states: "All the coastline will be brought into public ownership within a specified period."

Despite this Structure Plan promise Malta’s planners have done nothing to ensure that the coastline is returned to the public sphere, and private concessions continue to dominate much of Malta’s best shoreline.

Maltese law states that the foreshore is considered public space, but the government has parcelled off several areas on the foreshore for private developments.

MaltaToday has also received complaints from Sliema residents about another kiosk that has the remained open so far this summer. The kiosk is in the Independence Gardens and according to the Lands Department has been vacated by the former tenant and in being leased afresh. "Tenders have been issued and are, at present being adjudicated."