Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1419860
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 OCTOBER 2021 JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority has regularised a mobile bar and lounge area belonging to hotel- ier Silvio Debono's San Antonio hotel, set directly in the middle of the perched beach in Bugib- ba. The public beach had been ar- tificially developed by the Malta Tourism Authority with public funds in 2007. A permit for a beach lido, in- cluding a bar and lounge area, had already been approved in 2017 instead of an existing ki- osk on a part of the beach closer to the road. But subsequently, the bar was abusively moved next to a 312sq.m sunbed area, which forms part of San Antonio's Nine Lives lido, with direct acess to the sea. This irregular- ity was sanctioned last week by the Planning Authority. As approved, the bar – which effectively creates a club atmos- phere on a large chunk of the beach – can only operate be- tween April and November, and has to be removed in the winter season. The project's architects con- tend that the part of the beach where the bar and lounge area was erected without a permit, has been recognised as a 'pri- vate beach' since 2007 although the planning permission issued in 2017 did not foresee any structures in this area. The area in question is sub- ject to an encroachment permit from the Lands Authority, but apparently includes a tempo- rary emphyteusis signed in Feb- ruary 2007. The Lands Authori- ty now has issued its consent for the bar's relocation to the lido area. The permit regularising the 49sq.m bar is issued through a policy regulating outside cater- ing areas in public spaces. Comparing the current pro- posal with the permit issued in 2017, the Environment and Resources Authority noted that the temporary beach furniture and other ancillary interven- tions have been placed on the sandy beach. But it expressed no major environmental con- cerns on what is removable beach furniture. One objector did complain that the illegalities had turned the public beach into "another version of Café del Mar" where music is played from morning to night. The project's architect pointed out that the temporary wooden platforms, beach furniture, ta- bles and chairs are in line with encroachment rights and con- tracts with the Malta Tourism Authority and the Lands Au- thority. Debono has had a valid contract with the MTA since 2007 to utilise the area as a pri- vate beach. While the PA's case officer recommended an €18,502 fine, this was revised downwards to €4,329.60 after the PA's plan- ning commission decided to apply two different rates: one for the external decking on the perched beach which is consid- ered as a new addition not cov- ered by any permit, and another for internal works in areas al- ready covered by a permit. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Objector: public beach turned into 'Cafe del Mar' Hotel lido takes over Bugibba's perched beach The San Antonio hotel obtained a new permit for its bar's irregular relocation into what is now the hotel's private beach area