Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1388399
6 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 30 JUNE 2021 Unsightly Xemxija building could become hotel JAMES DEBONO ONE of Malta's most unsightly developments approved in the 1990s on the Xemxija coast – Kaħlija Court – could become a hotel if a planning application proposing a change-of-use is ap- proved. As proposed the application does not envisage substantial physical changes to the blue building, which protrudes on the rocky shoreline and onto the sea itself, except for alterations. But it could create a commit- ment for further development in the future, with the Superin- tendence for Cultural Heritage questioning whether approval will also mean that the new ho- tel becomes eligible for two extra floors. The application, submitted by Johann Said, foresees the change-of-use from residential dwelling to a hotel, together with an 84sq.m canopy and an outside catering area. While the Environment and Resources Authority has raised no questions on the develop- ment except standard questions on operational issues, the Super- intendence for Cultural Heritage expressed concern on the impli- cations of approving the change of use. Noting that the proposed hotel is located within a very prom- inent location within Xemxija bay, the SCH warned that any development at this location, existing or otherwise, is bound to condition views of this iconic bay and the foreshore. And while the change of use is primarily a planning issue, the Superintendence warned this may have "considerable impli- cations for eventual redevelop- ment of the site and for further impact on the area". Since the coastal building is located in the 'development zone' which includes the rocky foreshore, it may be eligible to a planning policy which allows ho- tels to add two new floors over and above local plan limitations. The Superintendence is seeking a number of clarifications on this matter. The SCH also asked the PA is to confirm that the existing building, including existing foot- print and volumes, is fully cov- ered by planning permits. The first permit for the devel- opment of 'flats and a restaurant' on the site can be traced to Paul Vella in 1993. A renewal permit was issued in 1998 and further changes to the building height were approved in 2002. In 2011 the PA approved another appli- cation converting the approved restaurant into a residential floor, along with changes to the boundary wall. In 2019 a car park was approved on the site following an appeal against an initial refusal. Help the bees with the weeds, beekeepers tell local councils LAURA CALLEJA THE Malta Beekeepers Associa- tion has drafted a proposal for lo- cal councils not to remove weeds from rural paths between 30 No- vember and 31 May. Six months of weed overgrowth? Abner Joe Buttigieg's initiative promises that the wild grass will serve as a source of food for hon- eybees, one of the most crucial insects that risks being pushed out of the urban environment. The Maltese beekeepers want an agreement with as many lo- cal councils on the island over the removal of wild grass from rural passages. "Wildflower flow- ers, many of which bloom in the spring season, serve as a source of food for much local wildlife, including honeybees. Over time, due to the country's urbanisation, these food sources are declining," Buttigieg said. The association said the prob- lem is exacerbated by the fact that the fields are overgrown with fodder that offers very little food to the pollen, and so the flora in the rural passages may be the only source of food. "So it's a big mis- take to remove it just as spring is in its infancy," the beekeepers' as- sociation said. In recent weeks, the association sent the proposal to all local coun- cils with the aim of committing the signatory councils not to re- move weeds from rural paths be- tween 30 November and 31 May on a recurring basis. "We are pleased to announce that five local councils have al- ready accepted our initiative and signed this Memorandum of Un- derstanding, and many more have expressed interest in signing it in the coming weeks," the associa- tion said. The councils so far that have signed up for this initiative are Santa Lucija, Lija, Swieqi, Kalkara, and Balzan. "We encourage resi- dents to encourage their respec- tive councils to sign this memo- randum." As Malta celebrates the tradi- tional agrarian feast of the Im- narja, on the day of St Peter and St Paul, the association wants to raise awareness to the grow- ing challenges bees face, and to highlight that honeycomb is not always guaranteed for various reasons. "By signing the agreement and applying it, councils will give hope to bees. The craft of beekeeping in Malta has a tradition of thousands of years and is part of the Maltese heritage that together with the Maltese honey bee deserves to be safeguarded for future genera- tions," the association said.