Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530039
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 DECEMBER 2024 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt St Julian's waterpolo club revises land reclamation plans THE St Julian's waterpolo club has submit- ted fresh plans for a waterpolo pitch and commercial development on reclaimed land. However, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage (SCH) has raised concerns, noting that while the plans reduce the footprint of the sea reclamation area, they propose an in- crease in volume along the promenade area. Compared to plans submitted five years ago, the amount of land reclaimed from the sea has been reduced by about 1,000sq.m, down from the 3,200sq.m originally envis- aged in the previous application, which has since been withdrawn. The project still includes an extensive pool deck area to accommodate a new waterpo- lo pitch, a restaurant with a table and chairs area, a lido for sunbeds, and additional club facilities. However, plans for a second pool, as originally proposed, have been dropped. Moreover, a proposed lighthouse at the breakwater's bullnose is to be replaced by a flagpole with a light on top. The Environment and Resources Author- ity's assessment of the previous plans found that the project would have led to the perma- nent loss of around 1,089sq.m of Posidonia Meadow beds, as well as 835sq.m of matte seagrass. Seagrasses, like trees on land, play a vital role in sustaining life by oxygenating the sea around them, thus serving as its 'lungs'. At the time of the first application, ERA concluded that the project could only pro- ceed if the encroachment on the seagrasses was reduced. It also called for a reduction in the scale of the project to mitigate its visual impact. Commenting on the latest proposal, ERA highlighted the 'downscaling' of the previ- ous plan, noting the reduced footprint of the reclaimed area. This adjustment, ERA stat- ed, aligns with the guidance provided by the ERA board during a public meeting in Au- gust 2023. However, ERA has now requested the submission of updated photomontages before providing further comments on the application. In its response to the latest plans, the SCH warned that the introduction of addition- al volumes at the promenade level could increase negative visual impacts and inter- fere with the views and sightlines of several scheduled properties within the bay, notably the Balluta Church and St Julian's Tower and Battery. The SCH also recommended further steps to assess the archaeological sensitivity of the seabed and called for a Landscape Visual Im- pact Assessment. The club currently lacks a permanent pool structure that can be used in adverse weather conditions. In its 2017 election programme, the Labour Party pledged "to enter into discussions with the St Julian's club to consider the possibility of constructing a pool." The St Julian's local council also supported the application. However, environmentalists have raised concerns about the scale of the project, its impact on marine life in the bay, and the po- tential use of the new jetty by boats. Photomontage of original proposal. Plan showing reduction in reclaimed area (original in purple outline and new proposal in red outline) Young man charged with assaulting 15-year-old girl is denied bail A 21-year-old man from Fgura was denied bail on Saturday after being charged with extortion and assaulting a 15-year-old girl. Jake Dalli Balzan was also accused of being part of a group of people who assaulted the victim on 23 November in Mqabba and of being in possession of a flick knife. Two of the people in the group had also brandished weap- ons, one of which was found in the accused's garage. Dalli Balzan appeared in front of Magistrate Giannella Busuttil and was charged with causing the victim slight injuries without the intention of killing her, trying to extort money from her, forming part of a group of more than three persons that assault- ed the girl and illegal possession of a flick knife. He pleaded not guilty. Sources privy to the incident have told MaltaToday the assault hap- pened outside the victim's house. The victim is understood to have been bul- lied at school by a group of students, including a 13-year-old girl. Malta- Today understands that Dalli Balzan is a close friend of one of the students who were bullying the victim. In court, the prosecution led by In- spector Wayne Bonello and the vic- tim's parte civile lawyer Jason Azzo- pardi objected to bail being given. The magistrate denied the accused bail and issued a protection order in favour of the victim. The accused was represented by lawyers Joseph Borda and David Bonello. Police investigations into the assault are ongoing and it is not excluded that another person is charged with the crime. However, the police have their hands tied over some other people in the group who are minors and cannot be criminally prosecuted despite the seriousness of the matter. The law was changed in 2014, raising the age of criminal responsibility to 16 from 9, to be in line with recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. A 21-year-old man is charged with forming part of a group of people that included minors, who assaulted a 15-year-old girl and tried to extort money from her. KURT SANSONE reports.