Two kiosks proposed on Coast road

The widened coast road is becoming a magnet for development proposals seeking to exploit this strategic location, despite being outside development boundaries (ODZ) for commercial development.

Two kiosks are now being proposed along the road on the other side of the new roundabout where a petrol station is also being proposed by the Bilom development group.

The two applications for an ice-cream parlour and a takeaway, both located on the strategically placed land parcel, were presented by Elaine and Clint Galea, a couple from Fgura, and have the same futuristic design. 

The two kiosks are proposed to be 3.7 metres high and each occupies a site area of around 20 square metres.

The application states that the applicants have notified the owner of the land (the government) of their intention to develop a kiosk.

Technically, any individual can apply for development on public land if he or she informs the lands department of his or her intention to do so. The Lands Department can only decide on whether to allow the development after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority issues the permit. 

The Government Property Division’s website says that if you are interested in placing a mobile kiosk on a government public space “you should first seek MEPA’s approval for the mobile kiosk. If this is granted then GPD will evaluate your request and may grant you a permit”.

Another tract of public land on the coast road, which is registered in the name of the ministry for transport, is being earmarked for the construction of a 3,000 square-metre petrol station by the Bilom Group, one of Malta’s fastest growing construction groups.

MaltaToday has confirmed with the parliamentary secretariat for lands that the area selected for the intended petrol station, next to the newly constructed roundabout at Bahar ic-Caghaq and opposite the Qalet Marku coastline, was registered with the transport ministry’s precursor, the ministry for resources and rural affairs. However, no tenders for the lease of the site have been granted for this area, the secretariat told MaltaToday. 

But the applicants, Bilom Estates Limited shareholder Nathan Bartolo and Bilom Group owner Michael Bugeja, have indicated they hold a “title of lease” over part of the land.

The ODZ land where the huge petrol station is being proposed is described in the planning application as “disused land”. Plans submitted to MEPA foresee the development of a car wash, a retail shop, an office and a store. The application is still being screened by MEPA, which has yet to inform the developer whether the proposed development conforms with existing policies. 

MEPA is already assessing four applications for the development of ODZ petrol stations in the Maghtab, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Burmarrad and Salini area. 

Easysell Kia Malta Ltd, a company owned by the Tumas Group, is proposing a petrol station in Burmarrad. The petrol station is being proposed on a vacant site designated as an ‘area of containment’ but which was formerly a rural area ruined by past irregularities.

Another proposal in Burmarrad is being made by Construction and Turnkey House Ltd. The development is being proposed next to an area of containment on land designated for its agricultural value. The Environment Protection Directorate has already objected to this proposal. 

Another application was presented by Luqa Construction Ltd to relocate an existing petrol station from Valley Road, Msida, to Triq is-Salini. 

A fuel station is also being proposed on a triangular plot of land wedged between Triq is-Salini to the west and Trejqet l-Arznu to the east. The surrounding area includes crop and livestock farms and small-scale industrial developments.