Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1034189
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 NEWS Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges ANNOUNCEMENT - CALL IX European Regional Development Fund The Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 in Malta - The Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD) within the Ministry of European Affairs and Equality (MEAE) - would like to announce that it is launching a call for project proposals under the Priority Axis and Investment Prio ritiy listed below to be undertaken by Ministries, Government Departments, Public Sector entities, Public Institutions, Local Councils, NGOs and VO's. The call will close on Friday 9 th November at noon. Priority Axis 5 – 'Protecting our environment – investing in natural and cultural assets' Investment Priority (IP) 6c - Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage. The online application form for the submission of project proposals is available on http://eufunds.gov.mt/opencalls (PPCD section). Supporting documentation including the eligibility guidance notes, the detailed guidance notes and indicators guidance notes relating to this announcement are also available on http://eufunds.gov.mt/opencalls (PPCD section). Prospective applicants are encouraged to refer to Operational Programme I and the eligibility guidance notes in order to check whether their proposals are eligible for funding through this call for project proposals. Further information on this call and on the European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 may be obtained from http://eufunds.gov.mt. Any generic queries and requests to participate in Information Sessions related to this Call can be sent to PPCD's email: info.eufunds@gov.mt until 10 th October 2018. Operational Programme I - European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 "Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges" Call part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Co-financing rate: 80% European Union; 20% National Funds JAMES DEBONO A tract of land in Mel- lieha that had once been earmarked for communi- ty facilities, will be taken away for the develop- ment of an eight-storey apartment complex and hotel. The land had been ear- marked for an under- ground car park to ac- commodate increasing parking demand in the village, as well as a multi- purpose hall for NGOs and cultural activities. But the area next to the former Belleview bakery is being earmarked for a 121-apartment complex, that will include a hotel and five retail shops. The project, proposed by Town's End Mellieha Ltd, has the backing of Mercury House develop- er Joe Portelli. Located at the edge of the Mellieha ridge, the proposed de- velopment will be visible from parts of Mizieb, Im- bordin and Xemxija. Until 2013 the council had an encroachment agreement with govern- ment whereby the site which was still in public hands was used as a tem- porary car park for large- scale cultural activities like Milied Melliehi and Iljieli Mellihin. Former mayor and Nationalist MP Robert Cutajar confirmed that during his term as mayor he was involved in dis- cussions with the Lands Department for a three- storey development as outlined by the local plan, to include space for community events. Cutajar contends that the government had agreed with the proposal and a tender was to be issued with the specifica- tion that part of the pro- ject would accommodate a multi-purpose hall. In 2014 during a pres- entation made to the Prime Minister at a Cabi- net meeting held in the locality, the new mayor John Buttigieg went fur- ther by proposing a com- munity centre and an in- door pool on the site. But in 2015 a tender was issued by the Lands Department for the sale of the land. According to the conditions published in the Government Ga- zette only bids of at least €2.5 million were to be considered. Cutajar now expresses regret that the govern- ment had let this piece of land slip away "with- out ensuring that its de- velopment respects the common good." The development still has to be approved by the Planning Authority. Council objects to development The Labour-led Mellie- ha local council recently presented its objection to the project. The council deemed the proposed development as one which is too in- tensive and incompatible with the surrounding ex- isting development. It also claims that the project is in breach of the local plan which does not permit the development of new hotels in residen- tial areas. It has called on the de- velopers to revise the project by removing the 104-bed hotel and an- cillary facilities like the proposed restaurant, spa, gymnasium and indoor pool. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Mellieha's hopes for community hall dashed by eight-storey complex A 3D rendering of what the eight-storey development will look like once completed