MEPA to consider Preluna beach concession application

A full planning application foreseeing the extension of the existing Preluna Beach Club beach concession into the adjacent rocky coast has been presented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The new application envisions the placing and hiring of sunbeds and umbrellas over 310 square metres of public land under the Fortizza at Ghar id-Dud in Sliema.

A preliminary screening application was submitted to MEPA on 8 April.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority validated the application on 17 July after the developers were informed in a screening letter sent by MEPA of planning or policy constraints.

The public has till 18 August to present objections to this application.

The Sliema local council has already asked its architects to study plans before deciding on whether to present an objection or not.

The latest proposal includes the paving of the existing concrete stretch with what the developers describe as ‘natural’ stone.

The application also envisions the construction of a new reversible concrete platform adjacent to the existing concrete stretch, and its paving with ‘natural’ stone.

A staircase to link the current beach club to the proposed extension is also being proposed while plans have been submitted to change the existing concrete boundary with one built using “natural” rock.

In the preliminary application submitted to MEPA on 8 April, the applicant declared that the government has granted consent to the proposal, which effectively means taking over land that is already public property. 

MaltaToday is informed that it is standard policy to give consent to any application presented on public land with the government reserving its judgement on whether to privatise the land or not after a MEPA decision on the proposed development.

The Sliema local council is already objecting to another development of leisure facilities across 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” and consists of lavatories, showers, an attendant’s area and rows of sunbeds, which are set to cover the rocky shoreline. The application was presented by hotelier Michael Stivala on 15 March, 2013 and was published in newspapers on 21 September.