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MALTATODAY 14 July 2019

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11 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JULY 2019 JAMES DEBONO THE Danish Village complex in Mel- lieha is set to get a piece of the coastline, after obtaining a permit to expand its footprint with 30 new bungalows. The project is a far cry from the ini- tial proposal of 19 years ago, which would have seen most of the rocky area between the first and second Ghadira beaches, including protected cart ruts, covered by sunbeds. Instead, the latest plans will see the de- mountable platforms for sunbeds on the picnic area just below the promenade, which presently includes benches used by the public. The latest plans were given the go- ahead by the Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage because the nearby cart ruts will be safeguarded, although works will be in their immediate vicinity. The cart ruts discovered by archaeolo- gist Louis Vella in 2009 and scheduled by the Superintendence a year later, were a major stumbling block for the project. Mellieha Holiday Centre Limited have also submitted a document confirming that all structures will be erected on property owned by the company. But in a meeting held on Friday the Planning Commission still asked for a clearance for the development from the Lands Authority as well as from Trans- port Malta. The case officer's report still notes that the proposal lies outside the identified tourism development area where the public use of the beach should be safe- guarded. 19 trees grown in planters have been proposed to embellish the area and an existing concrete path will be re- placed by a "barefoot friendly" one made from compacted earth. The present application sets the pa- rameters for the development, and will still have to be followed by a full permit. The Planning Authority's case officer is recommending a public deed ensuring that the beach concession is operated as part of the existing Mellieha Holiday Centre. The company, which includes a minimal 0.7% shareholding by the Gen- eral Workers Union, was given a beach concession on a part of Ghadira beach by a Labour government in 1986. For the next decade, the area was left in its natu- ral state and the only construction made was the building of a tunnel connecting the complex to the beach. The proposed beach concession was rejected twice by the Planning Author- ity because it would hinder public access to the coastline – a principle enshrined in Malta's former Structure Plan, now SPED. The first application for the beach con- cession in 1999 included stores, toilets, a snack bar and sunbathing deck; it was rejected in 2001. In 2002, the company proposed showers and a jetty, apart from a kiosk and sunbathing decks, but the application was rejected in 2004. But an appeal on the refusal was only concluded in May 2012. In the mean- time the hotel owners had presented another application in 2006, which will be decided upon in the coming weeks. Transport Malta objected to the devel- opment of stores beneath the road, say- ing it could interfere with future plans for the road network. An objector to the development high- lighted the use of the area by Mellieha families not only during summer but also during the winter. "During the summer many people take their own umbrellas to enjoy the seaside breeze while in the evening many gather to organise BBQs with friends and family. Even on sunny days in winter the area is frequented by people who spend the day by the beach or to make a BBQ." A decision on the proposed develop- ment is expected on 23 August. oped the ability to cool down well." And it is just as dangerous to leave a dog in a car, add- ing that it only takes up to six minutes for a dog to die when locked in a hot car in summer. "People don't need to take their dogs with them when they go shopping, it's best to leave them at home." She also said that persons who own houses should re- main as much as possible on the bottom floors, as heat ris- es. "When inside a room, the curtains should be drawn and surprisingly the door should be shut: often the thought process is that if the door is open air will flow freely, mak- ing the room cooler, however instead what usually hap- pens is heat gets through and makes the room hotter. Gauci added that curtains in rooms that get a lot of sun can have a "protective effect". She recommends that per- sons also avoid using the stove and oven if not neces- sary as these devices raise the temperature of the kitchen, and rooms close by. If people experience symp- toms of heat exhaustion, such as cramps in their arms, legs or stomach, if persons feel weak or have problems sleeping, it is best to stay in- side and drink lots of water. "If the symptoms continue to persist, visit a doctor." Ghadira coastline set to become 'Danish' beach The Chief Execu ve Officer, Malta Industrial Parks Ltd (MIP), no fies that sealed submissions will be received for: MIP/TQF/GEN/S307/18/III - Expression of Interest for the Development and/or Opera on of Industrial Parks – Third Call Interested par es may download a copy of the Expression of Interest document from www.mip.com.mt. Proposals should be made in line with the relevant condi ons included in the Expression of Interest document. Sealed submissions marked with the relevant reference will be received in the tender box at the recep on desk of Malta Industrial Parks Ltd, 88, Msida Valley Road, Birkirkara, BKR9020 by not later than: 10:00am of Monday, 12 th August, 2019 Malta Industrial Parks Ltd 88, Msida Valley Road, Birkirkara, BKR9020 www.mip.com.mt Expression of Interest

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