Dismiss the proposed development at St Paul's Bay (1)

Mepa application 4286/99 for a cliff-edge development in Triq it-Tonn, St Paul's Bay, has been refused. The refusal was subsequently confirmed at reconsideration stage. An appeal is now set for hearing on Friday (PA 92/04).

This process has, to date, been repeated five times, with the developer each time making minor changes to the previous application.

Not only is the applicant proposing to build on the very last remaining stretch of garigue in St Paul's Bay; he is also proposing to destroy in one fell swoop a stretch of land which is of archaeological importance, scheduled (second class), and a cliff area.

What is more, this proposed development is on land that is outside the development zone (ODZ).

I hope the Appeals Board will not rob us all of this gem of coastline. Now that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority is under the wing of the Prime Minister, we expect more transparency and justice where it is due. Surely there must be a way of stopping this application once and for all.