Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538630
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 AUGUST 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 But clearance was granted after a new application was presented, reducing the land reclamation footprint. This revision reduced the loss of posidonia meadows by 80%. The new bullnose breakwater will also be built on piles rather than caissons, meaning the sea- grass beneath will not be com- pletely buried, although remain- ing patches will still suffer from shading and scouring. An updated Environmental Im- pact Assessment concluded that these changes downgraded the ecological impact from "major significant" to "minor-to-mod- erate significant." However, the impact on views of Balluta Bay remains signifi- cant. During a meeting in July, ERA board members were told that while the changes represented a considerable improvement, re- sidual impacts on posidonia at the margins are still expected. NGO representative Martin Galea DeGiovanni, who along with board member Charmaine Mangion voted against the pro- ject, warned that the develop- ment remained substantial com- pared to the existing situation. He argued that even with the reduction in scale, the project would continue to exert pressure on the fragile seagrass habitat. Visual impact was another major concern. Photomontag- es showed that the redesigned platform, with softer edges and a smaller footprint, would reduce visual prominence when viewed from Pjazza Balluta and Xatt is-Sajjieda. Here, the impact was downgraded from "major" to "moderate significant." But from other viewpoints – including Triq George Borg Olivier, Triq Ċensu Tabone, Triq it-Torri and Ix-Xatt ta' Spinola – the visual impact remains unchanged, still registering as moderate-to-ma- jor. Moreover, ERA acknowledged that such effects are "unavoid- able when involving land recla- mation," particularly in an ur- banised setting. Nonetheless, the directorate recommended approval, noting that ERA's two main concerns – the scale of seagrass loss and the most significant visual impacts – had been addressed through the latest revisions. It also stressed that permit conditions would impose miti- gation measures, including strict monitoring of the marine envi- ronment during construction, containment of dredged mate- rial, use of silt curtains, spillage prevention and lighting mitiga- tion. The board voted in favour of approval, with only Martin Galea DeGiovanni and Char- maine Mangion opposing. Board Chairman Perit Vincent Cassar emphasised the impor- tance of closely monitoring the posidonia during works, with the developer required to fund an ERA-approved independent monitor. ERA's clearance clears a major stumbling block for the approv- al of the project by the Planning Authority which still has to issue its verdict. The St Julian's water polo club is one of Malta's foremost clubs but lacks modern facilities. The team is the current Premier Di- vision Winter League champion. ERA clears land reclamation project linked to San Giljan Aquatic Sports Club Photomontage of project when seen from Triq Borg Olivier, from Balluta square and from Xatt is-Sajjieda