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I refer to your article ‘Developer applies for 100 extra car spaces’ MaltaToday 20 February 2005 and in particular to the comments made by MEPA Chairman “that in assessing this application MEPA will observe the conditions of the brief” as quoted in your report.
May I point out that our company’s greatest grievance is that MEPA has been considering this application since January 2002, that is, for the last three years. During all this time reference was never made to the applicant to change or withdraw his application and only through our company's official objection it is now being made clear that the application would not receive an approval unless the application conforms to the brief.
The application in question is for 280 cars which makes necessary the development of two floors. On that basis no permit will ever be issued by MEPA firstly because the application does not conform to the brief and secondly because of the damage that will be caused to the underlying caves. The consequence of no action being taken by MEPA is that not only will the development of the car park be in jeopardy but the much needed embellishment of Ghar-id-Dud will not be carried out.
Our Company questions the following:
Why did MEPA continue to process this application for three whole years when it was crystal clear from the very beginning that the application was not in conformity with the brief?
Does MEPA and the Lands Department consider this fair to those others who had forwarded a bid for the said tender?
Do the authorities realise that more than thirty-six years have passed since this prime part of the promenade has been given a proper uplift and embellishment? Does anyone care?
What has happened to the Chalet project since the tender was issued five years ago?
Do the authorities not realise that visitors compare our country to ones of the third world at seeing our incompetence to remove an eyesore that has stood decaying for well over forty years!
The Preluna Hotel is a business concern that depends totally on tourism, employing close to two hundred employees, and is in competition with other Maltese and international resorts. For the last three decades our company has continually invested in upgrading and refurbishing to allow the hotel to be in a position to compete. It obviously feels very let down that the authorities do not shoulder their part of responsibility which is to offer tourists a product at par with other resorts.
Preluna is not mainly interested in being awarded the tender; it is however interested – and very much so – in seeing that the project is one day concluded (the sooner the better!). And this also in the best interest of the Sliema residents, the public and tourism in general.
Without any doubt Ghar-id-Dud does have the potential to be transformed into the most beautiful part of the promenade. All we need is a bit of competence and a straightforward way of doing things.
Joe Preca
CEO
Preluna Hotel & Spa
Sliema
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