Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar has raised objections to a development application for an extension of Portomaso with the construction of new apartments, parking, a natural sea water swimming pool and a roof garden.

The environment NGO said that the site in question had been found to be of ecological importance, and, it said, the development could contravene Malta’s adherence to EU conventions against development of the sea-shore and the public’s right of public access to such seashore.

The FAA said the structure being proposed was not included in the original project and there was no justification for this development when, out of Malta’s over 70,000 empty properties, 4,500 were located in Sliema and St. Julians.

“The area is already over-developed and over-populated, suffering from noise and traffic congestion day and night, as well as shadowing from surrounding buildings,” the FAA said, adding this had already been recognised in the Local Plans.