Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1178032
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 OCTOBER 2019 NEWS JAMES DEBONO A natural limestone coastal cave at the basement level of MIDI's Q2 tower block has collapsed because of "natural processes of weathering and erosion", the MIDI developers claimed in a project develop- ment statement to proposed new coastal works to protect their property from wave ac- tion. According to the PDS, the site now earmarked for the stabilising works "until re- cently… hosted a coastal cave naturally cut in the lower glo- bigerina limestone shore". The 14-storey high Q2, built on top of the cave, was ap- proved in 2012 when the cave was still in place. MIDI's project development statement refers to "a natural process of erosion" through which "this cave was eroded until it collapsed, revealing the concrete basement wall of the above-mentioned Q2 tower block, thereby exposing it to wave action". This exposure to wave ac- tion "has led to accelerated deterioration of this rein- forced concrete wall". The proposed works propose the stabilisation of the dan- gerous rock slope, the repair of the deteriorated concrete wall, and the construction of a wave dissipation slope at the Qui-Si-Sana coastline, Sliema. The proposed coastal engi- neering structure, impacting 135sq.m of land, will extend more than 15 metres away from the coastal zone, while the finished top level would be 5.6m above mean sea level. The application proposes two different alternatives: ei- ther a wave dissipation slope constructed of natural rock boulders, or a slope construct- ed with precast concrete. What remains of the natural coast in the area is closed by a gate as well as barriers and is inaccessible to the general public. According to the Environ- ment and Resources Author- ity, such inaccessibility and the associated lack of public awareness of the natural coast and its features, "seems to have contributed to the sig- nificant physical damage in- flicted to the site due to past developments, including the complete obliteration of two sizeable coastal caves, one of which was replaced by the sea-wall which is the subject of this application". ERA is calling for the re- instatement of public access to the coast, as also required by the North Harbour Local Plan. But the ERA has also con- cluded that environmental impacts from the proposed development are unlikely to be significant and an environ- mental impact assessment is not required. Instead ERA has called for a marine environ- ment study to assess the im- pact on any benthic habitats in the area. Until recently the site host- ed a coastal cave naturally cut in the lower globigerina limestone shore. Through a natural process of erosion this cave was eroded until it col- lapsed, revealing the concrete basement wall of the above- mentioned Q2 tower block, thereby exposing it to wave action. Such an exposure has led to accelerated deteriora- tion of this reinforced con- crete wall. MIDI claims natural causes for cave collapse but ERA hints at damage done during past developments and calls for public access MIDI seeks coastal protection for tower block after cave collapse