Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1449240
7 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 9 FEBRUARY 2022 JAMES DEBONO AN application to regularise an illegal gate blocking access to the Blata tal-Melħ coastal cliffs in Baħrija should be refused as it is in breach of the rural policy which precludes gates blocking pre-1967 footpaths, a case officer has concluded. The gate was also found to be in breach of SPED policies securing public access to the coastline. A final decision is now scheduled for 25 February. The gate, which is blocking public access to the stretch of coastline south of Ras ir-Raħeb and just off Fomm ir-Riħ Bay, was installed illegally early in 2021. But the PA was prevented from taking enforcement ac- tion after an application to "sanction" the gate was pre- sented by Touchstone Limited, a company owned by Baħri- ja landowners Eliza Limited, which had acquired the land claimed by the feudal title of the Barony of Baħria. Back in 2005, the company had attempted to evict farm- ers after buying a 1,500-tumo- lo parcel from Salvatore Con- soli-Palermo-Navarra, whose heirs sold the land for some €2.5 million. In August 2021 the develop- ers' architect Robert Musu- meci requested a 'suspension' of the application, effectively delaying the processing of the application to after 4 February 2022 when the suspension pe- riod expired. A suspension is requested when developers feel they need more time to address the concerns raised by objec- tors and statutory bodies like the Environment and Resourc- es Authority (ERA) during the public consultation process. But no significant changes were made in 'new' plans submitted by Musumeci on 1 February. But in the meantime, the PA could not take any action against the gate as an enforce- ment notice against it can only be issued when the sanctioning application is rejected. If the Planning Commission refutes the application as rec- ommended by the case officer, the owners will have no choice but to remove the illegality or face daily fines of up to €50 a day. At this stage, if the owners fail to remove the illegality, the PA can refer the case to its di- rect action unit, to remove it at the owners' expense. But enforcement can be further delayed if an appeal against refusal is presented by the owners. Moreover owners may also appeal against the en- forcement order itself. In some cases, other such appeals have dragged on for years. This planning loophole de- laying enforcement action is the direct result of a decision in 2015 to reintroduce the right for developers to sanc- tion developments in the ODZ, including Natura 2000 sites like the Baħrija coastline. The planning reform of 2012, car- ried out in the twilight of the Gonzi administration, had re- moved this right after decades of abuse, but then was reintro- duced by a Labour government in its planning reforms in 2015. In his report, the case office also objected to a proposed 90m-long and 1.2m-high rub- ble wall abutting an existing rural footpath, which would turn the existing footpath in to a corridor. The proposal was deemed to be in breach of the rural policy which only permits new rubble walls to enclose plots of arable land. In this case most of the site consists of gar- rigue and karstland. The Environment and Re- sources Authority had object- ed to the application, calling it objectionable in principle, while the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage warned that the rubble wall would disrupt the relatively open, scenic nature of the area. Infamous Bahrija gate set for PA refusal Gate in breach of policy securing access to footpaths established before 1967. Final decision expected 25 February Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 "Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges" Advert part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Co-financing rate: Public Eligible (80% European Union; 20% National Funds) ANNOUNCEMENT – 9th February 2022 Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Open Rolling Calls – Cut-off dates Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges The Measures and Support Division within the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), designated by the Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 as the Intermediate Body responsible for administering aid schemes for enterprises under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014 – 2020, would like to announce the next cut-off dates for the submission of applications under the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes initiative. The cut-off dates for the following open Calls until end June 2022 are set at noon of the following dates: • Call 2 - e-Commerce Grant Scheme • Call 3 - Start-up Investment Grant Scheme • Call 2 - SME Diversification and Innovation Grant Scheme • Call 1 - SME Internationalisation Grant Scheme • Call 2 - SME Consultancy Services Grant Scheme 28 February 2022 30 March 2022 29 April 2022 31 May 2022 30 June 2022 In addition to the above, the following open Calls have mid-monthly cut-off dates set at noon of the following dates: • Call 2 - e-Commerce Grant Scheme • Call 2 - SME Consultancy Services Grant Scheme 11 February 2022 18 March 2022 14 April 2022 13 May 2022 17 June 2022 Further information on these calls including the respective Guidance Notes and the Guidelines for Implementation may be obtained from https://businessenhance.gov.mt or by contacting the Measures and Support Division on msd.eufunds@gov.mt or 2295 7110.