Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544245
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 APRIL 2026 NEWS ERA objects to Mellieha quay upgrade used by Red Cross for marine rescues THE Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has objected to plans by Transport Malta to up- grade an existing quay at Is-Sur in Mellieħa. The authority warned the pro- ject would intensify development in a sensitive coastal and marine environment and could harm protected habitats. ERA concluded that the pro- posal is "objectionable from an environmental point of view" and said only repairs confined to the current footprint could be con- sidered acceptable. The quay, located along the northern coastline of Mellieħa and accessed from Triq l-Armi- er, is currently used by the Mal- ta Red Cross Society as a marine rescue deployment hub covering the northwest coast between Qa- wra and Għajn Tuffieħa. The ex- isting L-shaped structure extends around 70 metres but is partially submerged and frequently over- topped by waves, limiting safe use. Transport Malta's proposal includes repairs to the existing quay, the construction of a slip- way for launching vessels, in- stallation of a wave-wall, and the placement of a rock revetment to protect the structure from wave action. Additional works include resurfacing the platform and for- malising access from the rural track. The works would be im- plemented in phases over roughly 168 days using heavy machinery, with mitigation measures such as silt curtains proposed to reduce marine disturbance. ERA, however, warned that the site lies within protected coastal and marine areas forming part of the Natura 2000 network. The authority said the enlarged foot- print created by the slipway and revetment would further formal- ise a largely natural shoreline in an area designated as an Area of Ecological Importance and an Area of High Landscape Value. It also highlighted potential impacts on seabed habitats, including Po- sidonia seagrass beds, and warned that the revetment could alter lo- cal wave patterns and water cir- culation. The proposal is being justified by operational needs of the Malta Red Cross Society. According to Robert Brincau, the site is strate- gically important because it cov- ers a stretch of coast where alter- native rescue bases are located far away—Valletta and Gozo. He noted that the jetty has re- mained unfinished for decades and sits only about 20 centime- tres above sea level, making it unsafe and often unusable in mild weather. Brincau also pointed to the loss of two vessels in 2022 and said the base now supports roughly 200 rescues each summer, cutting response times from about 45 minutes to around 15 minutes—a difference that can be critical in emergencies. He also claimed that "no other quay in the area can be used without displacing current operators, making this abandoned one the only viable option". Despite these arguments, ERA said the core concerns cannot be resolved through further studies. Rather than asking for further environmental impact studies, the authority recommended that plans be amended to limit works strictly to repairs of the existing quay, excluding the proposed slipway, wave-wall and rock re- vetment. JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Photomontage of the proposed works, Google aerial view Proposed elderly home out of scale with Gharb's rural character, ERA says THE Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) has raised ob- jections to a proposed residen- tial care home for the elderly in Għarb, citing concerns over its scale, visual impact, and en- croachment into rural areas. The project, proposed by Mario Dimech (PA/01069/26), involves the part demolition of existing properties along Triq Birbuba and Trejqa tas-Sisien, to construct a 152-bed residen- tial care facility. The site which includes adja- cent land covers approximately 3,911sq.m and lies on a steeply sloping plot descending toward a rural valley at the rear, adding to concerns about visual intru- sion. As proposed, the new develop- ment will involve the addition of two to three levels over existing buildings and infill areas and would intensify development facing the ODZ. According to ERA's assess- ment, the development site straddles the Outside Devel- opment Zone (ODZ), and the proposed structure would sig- nificantly alter the surrounding rural landscape. ERA noted that the building's size and design are dispropor- tionate to the existing structures in the area, creating a visually dominant presence that would compromise the rural character. The removal of existing trees for paving and construction is also flagged as a concern, intensify- ing urbanisation beyond the es- tablished development bounda- ry. "The proposed development is considered objectionable due to its scale and potential to dis- rupt the integrity of the rural setting," ERA stated in its 17 March correspondence to the Planning Authority. The authority also noted that a Project Description Statement (PDS) would be required under the Environmental Impact As- sessment Regulations for fur- ther processing. However, ERA emphasized that submission of a PDS would not address the fundamental objection con- cerning the project's scale and visual impact. Part of the site is already ear- marked for the development of four terraced houses with ODZ pools by another applicant but the decision to issue the permit is pending an appeal. In parallel, the Superintend- ence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) has reserved its judgement pending the submission of 3D aerial views but expressed con- cerns about the proposed de- velopment's scale relative to the established character of Gharb. It has also asked for detailed images of the existing building and its courtyard, photographs of surrounding fields, a Works Method Statement for the pres- ervation and integration of the vernacular structure, and sup- plementary elevation drawings. Over a hundred objections have been presented by resi- dents over the past weeks. Reporting by James Debono