Sliema council objects to Preluna beach concession

Mayor says council is against any encroachment on public beaches, particularly on beaches which are in their natural state

The Preluna lido of Sliema wants an extension across the public beach beneath it - Photo: Ray Attard
The Preluna lido of Sliema wants an extension across the public beach beneath it - Photo: Ray Attard

Sliema local council has objected to the development of a beach concession on the rocky foreshore of Ferro Bay.

“The council is against any encroachment on public beaches, particularly on beaches which are in their natural state,” Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop told the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in an objection letter sent last week.

The council has taken this stance after reviewing the plans submitted by the developers and consulting its architect.

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 sun beds and umbrellas over 310 square metres of public land under the Fortizza at Ghar id-Dud in Sliema.

The latest proposal includes the paving of the existing concrete stretch in Ferro beach 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.

Earlier on this month Preluna Hotel owner Joseph Preca told the Times of Malta that proposed extension of the lido would not stretch to the foreshore.

Preca said the plan was to use part of an existing ditch, intended to protect the fortification from rough seas, and level the ground to be able to use the area for the hiring of umbrellas and deckchairs.

MEPA has in the meantime received five other objections from concerned Sliema residents.

“For God’s sake, not another theft of the public coast,” an objection letter sent by a resident said. Another resident referred to the Ferro Bay cove as “a public beach and rare cove” which is part of the national heritage. An objector also referred to the need to reverse the trend of granting stretches of the Sliema coastline to make way for “low quality speculative beach premises… which cater for only a small proportion of the population.” Instead, the resident proposed “more genuine quality development which instils a sense of ownership with whoever visits the area.”