Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1332685
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 JANUARY 2021 10 NEWS CONTACT Adriana Farrugia or Erika Arrigo on 21382741 for sponsorship opportunities SCAN the code to watch now Transport Malta wants extended concrete decking at Ghar Lapsi JAMES DEBONO THE Environment and Re- sources Authority is object- ing to a proposal by Transport Malta to fill an existing cavity on the Ghar Lapsi coastline with concrete, on the same area previously identified for a res- taurant platform. The 'concrete decking' and repairs of a damaged masonry structure are being proposed "to protect the side of the slip- way from further sea erosion". The cavity is described as an "awkward void space exposing substructure of adjacent slip- way to further sea erosion". The works would impact on 35sq.m of coastline. While the ministry also wants an extension of an ex- isting concrete deck, the ERA says the concrete platform is already subject to a 1996 plan- ning enforcement since no permission was ever sought to construct it. The ERA warned that the proposed breaching of a con- tainment wall and the en- croachment onto the boulder scree to accommodate the concrete deck was "unjustifi- able, unnecessary and would alter the natural coast." But ERA had no objection to the repair of a masonry structure found in the same cavity. The ministry originally tried to seek approval for the pro- posal through a fast-tracked "dangerous structure" appli- cation, normally used to au- thorize works when a building is in imminent danger of col- lapse. But the application was turned down. Back in 2016 the PA turned down an application by the Carmen's Bar restaurant to set up a removable timber and steel platform on the same cavity now earmarked for the ministry's works. Last year the PA issued an- other enforcement order against the change-of-use of part of the slipway to accom- modate the placing of tables and chairs by the same restau- rant. But in December the restau- rant owners presented anoth- er application to regularise the placing of chairs and tables on part of the slipway and to in- stall a demountable canopy. The cavity is described as an "awkward void space exposing substructure of adjacent slipway to further sea erosion". The works would impact on 35sq.m of coastline