The enforcement notices (red) replaced by permits (pink). Photo: Mepa

The planning authority is refusing to make public the assessments used to justify the controversial “upgrading” of seven kiosks at the protected Għadira Bay despite the fact it jeopardises the beach’s Blue Flag status.

After this newspaper revealed cement had been poured into the sand to serve as a platform for a kiosk at the Natura 2000 site, Blue Flag International wrote to the local representative requesting a report on the impact of the concrete base on the coast, the sand dunes and surrounding ecology.

Mepa meanwhile revealed the kiosk being “upgraded” was only one of seven. While the authority’s website does not contain any information related to assessments justifying this development, it is clear some of the kiosks in question had enforcement notices for infringements replaced by permits.

The authority will have to answer the Blue Flag programme’s request, but meanwhile it is refusing to reveal whether the work done so far is in line with the method statement.

It is also preventing any independent evaluation of the internal assessment made. Meanwhile, development at the beach continues with more concrete.

In a statement last week it gave assurances “the permitted upgrading works… are being carried out in accordance with a method statement which was assessed and endorsed by the Environment Protection Directorate”.

The Sunday Times of Malta requested a copy of the assessment the next day. Four days later Mepa replied: “Kindly note such assessments are internal documents that are not available to the public”.

One of the kiosk platforms. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Since planning assessments, particularly related to protected sites or large development projects, are usually made available for public scrutiny, this newspaper requested an explanation. None was given.

More concrete platforms were noted during the past week. There was also an open outflow cutting through the entire length of the beach and several mechanical shovels working around the sand.

This newspaper was also informed Mepa was on site to stop work that was not being done in line with the method statement.

The permits for these developments were issued as Development Notification Orders (DNO) approved in May last year. DNOs are usually issued for temporary structures, leading to questions on how such a permit could have been issued on such a sensitive site.

Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar and Ramblers Association had said the permit for the first kiosk exposed by this newspaper had been repeatedly refused and it had two enforcement orders swept away by the approved permit.

“This DNO system bypasses public consultation to fast-track applications for minor works,” the NGOs had said.

Mepa’s guarantees that assessments were made despite the DNO cannot be verified.

Meanwhile, the bay’s Blue Flag status hangs in the balance.

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