Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1217991
05.03.2020 16 TOWNSCAPES Planning Commission grants pontoon permit for St Julian's 'hop-on hop-off' ferry service THE Planning Commission this week granted a development permit for a semi-submersible concrete pontoon to be set up between the two waterpolo pitches along the St Julian's seafront. e development permission is being granted subject to a number of condi- tions including the need for an opera- tional permit from the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and that the pontoon shall be made availa- ble to third parties only at the discretion of Transport Malta. A five-year envi- ronmental monitoring programme will also ensure that no damage is done to the marine environment. Following last month's hearing, the commission noted that the applicant had provided sufficient justification for the project to be given the green light. After the commission initially ex- pressed its concerns based on the ob- jections raised, the applicant rebutted the proposed reasons for refusal by pro- viding further explanation behind the scope of the project. e applicant clearly showed that the project is not a stand alone 'business opportunity' but part of a holistic plan which links land and sea transport. e St Julian's 'hop-on hop-off ' ferry landing place will be part of a maritime trans- port route system which covers several popular areas along the eastern coast of Malta. e commission said that besides the fact that the new 'hop-on hop-off ' fer- ry service will link up with the popular 'hop-on hop-off ' bus route service, the new ferry service is an alternative trans- port solution which will reduce the con- gestion transport problem, especially at the Sliema ferries. St Julians, like Sliema, is a popular tour- ist area and so a ferry landing service in this locality will significantly reduce the need for coaches to daily transport tourists to and from their hotel accom- modation in St Julians to the Sliema fer- ries. e vessels which will be used for this 'hop-on hop-off ' service are certified environmentally friendly with the most stringent emission standards and an on- board sewage treatment system. Additionally, the siting of the pontoon will have no impact on public access to and from the shoreline. Commut- ers using the ferry service will access the promenade through the St Julians aquatic sports club. e ferry landing facility also caters for persons with a disability. e site earmarked for this development is well-outside the official swimming areas.