Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537666
THE Planning Authority has deferred a decision on an appli- cation to regularise two kiosks and outdoor seating in the his- toric Birgu ditch. The postponement comes despite strong objections from both the Development and Management Directorate and the Superintendence of Cultur- al Heritage to the application. Chaired by Elizabeth Ellul, the Planning Commission accept- ed the Birgu Regatta Club's re- quest to postpone the decision by three months, allowing more time for discussions with the objecting authorities. The deci- sion overruled the Development Management Directorate which had described the application as "objectionable in principle" and recommended outright refusal. The directorate cited policy breaches and the visual impact on scheduled fortifications as reasons for its objections. The kiosks and seating were in- stalled in the ditch below the Birgu Bastions along Kalkara Creek without permission. Although the directorate is tasked with assessing applica- tions against planning policy and making formal recommen- dations, the commission chose to defer its ruling rather than endorse the refusal. In a case officer report meant to guide the Planning Com- mission, the directorate also flagged a large tented structure for which a temporary permit issued to the local council ex- pired in January 2025. Since the applicants were not seeking to sanction the tent, the directo- rate said the application runs counter to regulations requir- ing all illegalities on site to be addressed before any develop- ment can be approved. The officer further agreed with the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage which had expressed "grave concern" warning that sanctioning the kiosks would negatively affect the setting and legibility of the scheduled fortifications. The kiosks, the officer noted, add to the visual clutter of the area. The proposal also fails to meet kiosk policies, among them the limitations on footprint (20sq.m) and height (2.5m). The kiosks in question occupy roughly 60sq.m and are 3.41m high. Crucially, both kiosk and out- door seating policies prohib- it the placement of tables and chairs directly adjacent to ki- osks. Given these breaches, the di- rectorate concluded there was no need to request revisions from the applicant's architect, stating that the proposal is "ob- jectionable in principle." Keeping our seas safe and respectful JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 JULY 2025 NEWS THE safety of all who operate on our seas, whether for work, leisure or sport, is not a passing campaign, but a con- stant national responsibility that must guide every decision, every regulation and every single action we take on and around the water. And at Transport Malta, we firmly believe in this princi- ple. Every summer, thousands take to our waters. But the sea, while open to all, demands responsibility from each of us. Swimmers, beachgoers, skippers, divers, and commercial operators all co- exist in this space. And that coexistence only works when safety and respect are more than intentions. They must be act- ed on. Campaigns, patrols, enforcement, and stakeholder outreach are de- signed to instill a culture of care, not fear, but awareness. We believe that enjoying the sea should never come at the expense of someone else's peace and safety. Within this spirit, Transport Malta revised the related Notice to Mar- iners dealing with noise levels on board commercial vessels, which was originally issued in 2017, and already catered for noise levels, to address a challenge that has gradually grown more pressing: the disruptive impact of commercial events at sea. These measures are not about drawing lines for the sake of control; they are de- liberate interventions designed to restore balance between freedom of use and respect for place. All music on commercial party vessels must cease by 2300, without exception, recognis- ing the right of coastal communities to rest without disturbance. The use of amplified sound within sensitive areas is no longer acceptable, with additional measures expected from commercial operators, reinforcing the sanctity and order of our ports and coastal entry points. Operators must also exercise sound judgment when navigating near sen- sitive coastal areas, residential shore- lines, and environmentally protected zones, spaces where noise carries fur- ther and the impact is more profound. To further promote accountability, events require prior authorisation, with full disclosure of the organiser's identity, intended route, and timing, ensuring that responsibility can no longer remain vague or anonymous. But rules alone do not create har- mony. Culture does. That is why these changes are about more than en- forcement. They reflect a shift in how we understand the sea, not just as a space to consume, but as one to pro- tect. The concerns of coastal commu- nities have been heard. So have the calls from responsible operators who want a fair playing field. This directive is Transport Malta's way of respond- ing with clarity and conviction. Malta's maritime future depends not just on regulation but on collective re- spect. If we are to continue celebrat- ing life on the water, from regattas to boat parties, from leisure cruising to shoreline relaxation, we must do so with a mindset that values others' ex- perience as much as our own. Safety is not a slogan. It is a respon- sibility that belongs to all who use the sea. It requires clear rules, consistent enforcement, and a willingness to re- spect others beyond our own enjoy- ment. As the authority entrusted with managing Malta's maritime space, we will continue to uphold this commit- ment with discipline, clarity, and a firm sense of duty. Captain Fritz Farrugia, Chief Officer & Harbour Master, Ports & Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta PA defers decision on Birgu kiosks deemed 'objectionable in principle'