An application to build a seawater pool and construct a number of amenities on the Marsalforn foreshore has been turned down by the planning authority.

Alternattiva Demokratika welcomed the decision to reject the application by water polo club Otters ASC to excavate a 375-square metre base for the pool and occupy a number of public areas to construct a gym, stores, pump room and administration buildings.

In a statement, AD said it was the only party that had supported the Marsalforn residents in objecting to the application and had even organised a protest in December 2007.

During last week's hearing, AD spokesman Carmel Cacopardo said the application went against a number of Structure Plan Policies in the Gozo and Comino Local Plan, including that the area should remain undeveloped and open.

He said no studies based on demographic projections were ever concluded and any public access to the foreshore had to be safeguarded.

The board unanimously voted to refuse the application.

"AD recognises and appreciates the wise decision of the Development Control Commission board," the party said in a statement.

AD Gozo spokesman Victor Galea urged the government to implement its 1991 promise to build a public swimming pool in Gozo.

"If Malta already has two such national pools, then Gozo deserves one. We must not continue to be treated unequally. Given the socio-educational advantages of aquatic sports in Gozo, I sincerely hope in the-not-so-distant future the sport finds itself on the national agenda and not used as a favourite subject for lip-service exercises that seem to have become somewhat of a national pastime." Mr Galea also called on the authorities to stop taking away public land and give Gozitans what was theirs by right.

"We are fed up of empty promises. Let us hope satisfactory action will be taken well before the eve of next election," he said.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.