Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/204636
15 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 2013 2013 Government gives blessing to private beach JAMES DEBONO THE planning application pre- sented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for the development of a private beach on 800 square metres of coastline at Qui-Si-Sana carries the stamp of approval of the Lands Department. The planning application seen by MaltaToday states that the developer has notified the owner of his intention to apply and that the owner has "granted consent to such a proposal". Since the development is set to take place on public land, the owner in question is the Maltese government. Questions addressed to MEPA and to parliamentary secretary Michael Farrugia who is responsible for both MEPA and government property remained unanswered for the past three weeks. MaltaToday's questions on when and why the lands department issued its consent for this development remained unanswered for the past three weeks. The planning application, which included the seal of government approval, was presented just two days after the appointment of the new Labour government on 13 March. The Sliema Local Council is objecting to the development of leisure facilities on 800 square metres of pristine rocky shoreline in QuiSi-Sana just below the Qui-Si-Sana public garden. The development is earmarked for "leisure development" which consists in lavatories, showers, an attendant's area and rows of sun The proposed private beach beds, which are set to cover the rocky shoreline. The application was presented by hotelier Michael Stivala on 15 March and was published in newspapers on 21 September. "Such a project will deny full public access on to what is presently public land," the Sliema council said in an official objection letter sent to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. The Sliema council described the site in question as a "stretch of pristine rocky coastline" made up of globerigina limestone and characterised by rocky pools, which are rich in marine flora and fauna. The council also points out that a World War II structure known as the coastal Artillery Search Light overlooks the site. Although the application does not impact on this recently restored historical monument, it would result in the destruction of its context. Moreover the Heritage Advisory committee – MEPA's own internal heritage watchdog – is not objecting to the development, but has asked the applicant to confirm that all interventions will be reversible and no rock cutting or trimming will be permitted. Lockerbie: The government can file an appeal so as to clear Malta's name 25 years after the UK's worst terrorist attack, Lockerbie victim's father calls for the truth to be divulged JEROME CARUANA CILIA THE father of one of the Lockerbie bombing victims yesterday called on the government to demand the Scottish authorities to revoke the sentence which found Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi guilty, and to clear Malta's name. Jim Swire, who lost his 24-year-old daughter in the bombing, yesterday said, "25 years after murdering by daughter the truth is still withheld from us by politicians of my own country and America and their story has put Malta in a bad light because it the alMegrahi sentence holds that Malta was involved, when I'm sure that it was not Swire has met Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and foreign minister George Vella. "Malta has the option to call for an appeal in the Scottish Criminal Care Review Commission, so as to clear its Simon Busuttil (left) listening to Jim Swire yesterday involved." Al-Megrahi, who was convicted of killing 270 people when Pan Am flight 103 was blown up over the Scotland town of Lockerbie 25 years ago, was freed from prison in 2009 on compassionate grounds due to being diagnosed with cancer. Throughout the case, the prosecution argued that the accused had planted the bomb on a plane which had left Malta. Swire, who was addressing a press conference about the UK's worst terrorist attack and its links with Malta, is in Malta in connection with the play The Lockerbie Bomber which is being staged at St James Cavalier, Valletta. Accompanied by Robert Forester from the Justice for Megrahi Group, name," Swire said. The man convicted of the bombing, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, was convicted of planting the bomb in Malta before it made its way to the ill-fated flight. He called al-Megrahi "a friend" and asserted that he was certain about his innocence. "The evidence that persuaded me and many other individuals that al-Megrahi was innocent and a scapegoat was the evidence about the technology of the bomb," Swire said.