Għadira Bay’s Blue Flag status is being assessed after a concrete platform in the sand to serve as the base for a kiosk raised questions on whether adequate impact assessments were made.

The International Blue Flag programme yesterday morning contacted their local representative, Nature Trust, demanding a report on the impact of the concrete base on the coast, the sand dunes and surrounding ecology after Times of Malta exposed the development in the Natura 2000 site.

The planning authority said the concrete platform had its blessing in line with a permit issued last year. In a statement yesterday evening, it pointed out that the kiosk was in fact only one of seven to be “upgraded” in the area.

Nature Trust said the international programme would consider whether the legislation regulating the development was satisfactory.

The kiosk is only one of seven to be ‘upgraded’ in the area

The prestigious Blue Flag status is given for the sustainable management of beaches, and regular evaluations are held to ensure the certificate is still deserved.

One of the criteria states that “the location of facilities and use of the beach area and its vicinity must be subject to… environmental impact assessments”.

The permit in question was issued under rules referred to as a “development notification order” (DNO), usually applicable to temporary structures such as to place tables and chairs on a pavement.

The president of the Chamber of Architects described the development as “tragic” and confirmed the concrete platform set in the sand to host the kiosk could not be considered a temporary structure.

“A concrete foundation is not temporary and the impact is irreversible, especially on a protected site,” Chris Mintoff said.

As well as a Natura 2000 site, Għadira is also designated as a Special Protected Area and a Site of Community Interest that Mepa is tasked to protect. The planning and environment watchdog said the upgrading was part of a plan by the Malta Tourism Authority to “embellish the area” within the framework of an agreement between the kiosk operators and government in 2012.

It said the upgrading works on the kiosk at Għadira were being carried out in accordance with a method statement assessed and endorsed by the Environment Protection Directorate.

The DNO was approved in May last year “after proper assessment was carried out”, Mepa said, adding that the permit for the upgrading of all the seven kiosks had been granted under the provisions of legal notice 115 of 2007 and subsequent amendments in 2011.

Nine of Malta’s beaches enjoy Blue Flag status. The flag’s mark of quality is so important in the tourism sector that Mepa last week conceded public land to a restaurant so it would move from its central location at Golden Bay, which was preventing the beach getting its deserved mark.

Labour Mellieħa mayor John Buttigieg refused to comment on the development when contacted by telephone. He asked for the questions to be sent by e-mail but no reply was received by the time of writing.