The scouts can finally apply for EU funds for their Għajn Tuffieħa campsite after the planning authority yesterday sanctioned structures that the scouts association built there over a decade ago.

In 1998, the association had obtained a permit for an international scouts centre but amended the plans to ensure it was equipped for its needs, constructing two sanitary amenities and an amphitheatre on the site, among other changes.

Soon afterwards it applied to sanction the new structures. Pending the sanctioning it could not apply for a compliance certificate that would allow it to access EU funds and invite scouts over from overseas, Chief Scout Arthur Azzopardi explained.

But with the new permit things had now changed.

The site is located within the Pwales Valley, close to the Radisson Golden Sands Resort, and covers an area of 73,000 square metres.

The sanctioned layout maintains the same land use as before but does away with a caravan site and increases car park capacity from 72 to 200.

Moreover, it has now been parcelled into 23 separate areas subdivided by rubble walls and landscaping for better management.

And with the sanctioning in hand, the association can now go ahead and build a restaurant and warden’s quarters as well.