Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/199842
6 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2013 Ta' Cenc owners apply for gate at Kantra beach Owners insist on right to set gate on private land as Planning Directorate invokes structure plan against proposed gate The picturesque Kantra is a small peninsula jutting out on one side of Mgarr ix-Xini JAMES DEBONO ON Friday the Environment Plan- ning Commission deferred from taking a decision on a proposed gate allegedly blocking access to the Kantra beach at Ta' Cenc, calling for further legal advice before taking a decision on this matter. The decision has been postponed to 11 November. In February Ta' Cenc hotel owner Victor Borg applied to place a timber gate and the replacement of two existing pillars, thus closing access to a path linking the Ta' Cenc Hotel to the Kantra Beach where the hotel's lido is located. But while calling for the refusal of the application, the Planning Directorate invoked the Structure Plan's policy, securing public access to the coastline to block this application. The major stumbling block to the application is Structure Plan Policy CZM 3 which clearly states that public access around the coastline immediately adjacent to the sea or on top of cliffs has to be secured. The same policy states that all the coastline should be brought into public ownership within a specified period. The developer, through his lawyer, argued that this policy did not apply to this development "since the land in question is in private ownership and there is no right of passage to the public over such land". Significantly, the Authority's legal office disagreed with this view, insisting that this policy also applies to private land. But the Planning Directorate recognised that there could be alternative routes to the beach and called on the developer to clearly indicate these routes. But no such plans were provided. The local plan also specifies that this pedestrian path should not be hindered. Environmental NGO Din l-Art Helwa has objected to this application, insisting that "there is a long standing commitment to allow open public access to Ta'Cenc, including the Ta' Kantra Area". The picturesque Kantra is a small peninsula jutting out on one side of Mġarr ix-Xini, with Fessej Rock and the Comino Channel as a backdrop. The site is known to attract several scuba diving clubs. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Schulz eyes Barroso's seat MIRIAM DALLI MALTA has found an ally in Eu- ropean Parliament President Martin Schulz, who has insisted that both Malta and Italy needed the support of their peers to face the migratory pressures. Schulz, who on Thursday addressed the 28 EU leaders, was vociferous in urging the member states to stop dragging their feet and take on board proposals which both the European Parliament and the European Commission have been putting forward – including greater flexibility within the Dublin system. "The European Parliament is deeply disappointed that the demand which we and the Commission keep making, for greater flexibility within the Dublin system, falls on deaf ears," Schulz told the Council. He insisted that while the goal remained long-term objectives, yet short-term measures had to be taken on board as well. "We need immediate humanitarian aid for those affected. In the long-term, neither Italy nor Malta can provide the necessary emergency aid alone," he said. Schulz said that the EU could not remain idle while the Mediterranean was turning into a graveyard. "At least 20,000 people have died over the past 20 years while attempting to reach Europe's coasts. We cannot allow yet more to die," he said. Schulz, favoured to become the new President of the European Commission in next year's elections, has taken a solid position is favour of sharing of responsibility, the reform of the Dublin II convention and the creation of legal migration channels into the EU. "We should support the Mediterranean states in taking in refugees and arranging a fair allocation between the member states: this is called European solidarity and that is what must be on our agenda for today," he said on Thursday. Migration was then discussed on Friday morning, with EU leaders agreeing to meet again in December to discuss "operational deci- Martin Schulz supports Malta and of course expects Malta to support his candidature for EU president sions". The European Parliament has adopted Eurosur, a rescue system for ships in trouble at sea which will be operational in less than two months' time. It will however continue fighting for adequate funding, especially for Frontex. Every year, the Council seeks to reduce funds for Frontex, whose role is to promote, coordinate and develop European border management. And every year gives way to a European Parliament fight to defend the funds. Although improvements to the EU asylum regulations have already been decided upon, these have not yet been implemented. These included provisions for improving reception conditions. The European Parliament had also called for a temporary suspension mechanism which would have made it possible to temporarily suspend transfers of asylum seekers where a member state is faced with an "exceptionally" heavy burden on its reception capacities, asylum system or infrastructure. Schulz also made a pitch for not reducing any international aid to third countries, most of which would be the country of origin for many irregular migrants. "Combating the causes for which refugees flee their home countries is of course the right thing to aim for. However, one may doubt whether this aim can be achieved by cutting international aid – as has just happened in the multiannual financial framework." Describing Europe as a continent of immigration, Schulz said a legal migration system was required as a response to human traffickers. With proposals for the regulation of legal immigration already in the legislative pipeline, Schulz said these should be adopted without delay. "Europe cannot save everyone and cannot take in everyone. But we are the richest continent in the world. We can do more if we look together for solutions and shoulder our responsibilities together." Couple admit to drug trafficking CHRIS MANGION KEVIN Caruana, 35 of Qormi, and his 38-year-old wife Antoinette were imprisoned for a collective term of 18 months and fined €1,000 after pleading guilty to drug trafficking in September last year. Prosecuting Inspector Nikolai Sant told the court the couple had conspired with others to import and traffic heroin. Antoinette Caruana was also charged with heroin and cocaine possession. The inspector explained how the husband had attempted to escape while he was in police custody at Mater Dei Hospital. While attempting escape, Kevin Caruana threatened two police officers, failed to obey police orders and breached public peace and good order. The incident occurred on 3 September 2012. Caritas representative Jean Cali and Probation Officers Ivan Sultana and Deborah Farrugia took the witness stand, telling the that court the couple are currently attending a rehabilitation programme. The officers confirmed that the Caruanas are changing their lifestyles and trying to kick the habit. Considering the guilty plea submitted by the accused at such an early stage of the proceedings, Magistrate Edwina Grima handed the wife an eight month jail term. The husband was imprisoned for 10 months, while both the accused were ordered to pay a fine of €500 each. The court also ordered the couple to pay €1062.71 in court expenses. The fines and fees are to be paid within three years from today. The Magistrate requested that the Director of Prisons allow the couple to continue following their rehabilitation programme. Lawyers Michael and Lucio Schiriha appeared for the accused.