AD protests against beach club development

Alternattiva Demokratika is supporting Birzebbuga residents who are protesting against the development of a commercial beach club on the site of a government-owned waterpolo pitch.

During a protest next to the site yesterday, AD chairman Harry Vassallo said although there was a committee at the club, no membership applications were being accepted and no waterpolo team had been formed.

Yet a development application for a commercial beach club was submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority by people claiming to represent the Birzebbuga Waterpolo and Aquatic Sports Club and a permit was issued in 2004.

This permit had been issued for development on public land with clear conditions that it would only be leased for purposes of sport.

Dr Vassallo said all the conditions had been breached, but in spite of this, Mepa still issued a development permit.

Dr Vassallo invited Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, who is responsible for the Lands Department and the Economic Crime Squad, to investigate the case. He called on the National Sports Council and the Mepa auditor to do the same.

He said that AD would be submitting a report for investigation to the Ombudsman and invited the Birzebbuga residents to take the initiative and set up a new legitimate waterpolo club and ask for the club to be passed on to them.

The area, he said, could be used for a variety of water sports. Moreover, residents wanted to enjoy access to the beach, which had already been removed, without having to pay a fee.

The deputy mayor, Joseph Baldacchino, said the council had argued against this application and discussions had been held with Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit, and a new application was submitted to Mepa last year.

The application was also approved but the work being carried out was along the lines of the original application.