Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/463339
Events 26 maltatoday, Sunday, 15 February 2015 Large illegal kiosk and staircase on sandy beach to be demolished An existing 465 square metre illegal kiosk located on the sandy beach at Golden Bay and the wooden stair- case that leads to it from the upper road will both be demolished in the coming weeks after the MEPA board granted planning permission for the construction of a restaurant underneath the existing public car park. The site of the approved res- taurant had been granted an out- line permit in November 2005. The removal of the existing illegal kiosk and staircase will ensure that this Grade 1 Ecology Scheduled Area will remain protected and facilitate the process for the beach to acquire a Blue Flag status. The board imposed a bank guarantee of €50,000 and daily fine of €1,000 should the applicant not abide by the agreed phasing and timing of works set in the Construction Management Plan. The Plan also includes a dismantling and resto- ration method statement for the site of the existing illegal kiosk and staircase. The approved restaurant un- derneath the public car park will include a customer f loorspace of 180 square metres, a kitchen, bar, stores, a cold room and other ancil- lary facilities. The development will also in- clude the construction of a spiral staircase and lift at street level, as access points to the restaurant and a public staircase at the lower end of the car park for improved access to the beach. A terrace to accom- modate a number of tables and chairs will also be constructed. During the process and evaluation of the application the Planning Di- rectorate ensured that there was no take up of any part of the beach. To make up for the shortfall in parking provisions, the MEPA board imposed a financial con- tribution of over €20,000. These funds will be used in the locality of Mellieha to finance traffic man- agement, green transport or urban improvement projects. The board also imposed a plan- ning gain of nearly €7,000, which funds will be used for environmen- tal improvement projects. The MEPA board also discussed and turned down a planning ap- plication which sought permission for the installation of a new artis- tic bronze monument in Triq ir- Repubblika, opposite the new par- liament building in Valletta. The monument, which was to reach an overall height of 2.7 metres, was to depict the Knights of Malta. Change in strategy for the Vodafone Malta Foundation Excellence, passion & tradition in a bottle – Villa Sandi List your property and win with Belair and Hilton The Vodafone Malta Foundation, established in 2003, is now enter- ing its second decade of service to the community. Over the past ten years the Foundation has proved to be a valued philanthropic organisa- tion in Malta that has channelled nearly three million euros towards a number of initiatives that have had a positive impact in a number of ar- eas, particularly those related to so- cial change, health, the environment and culture and heritage. This significant contribution is largely thanks to the tireless com- mitment of Gemma Mifsud Bonni- ci, who has served as Chairperson of the Foundation since its inception. Mifsud Bonnici has now stepped down from this role and Vodafone Malta wishes to thank her publicly for the major role she played in mak- ing the Foundation the success it is today. Vodafone Malta's CEO Amanda Nelson commented, "Making a pos- itive difference within our commu- nity lies at the very heart of what Vo- dafone is all about. This is promoted by Vodafone Group across the globe and Malta has been no exception. "Mifsud Bonnici has been instru- mental in making this aim a reality through the continuous activities of the Foundation since 2003 and we thank her whole-heartedly for her contribution." Mifsud Bonnici is being replaced by Michel Macelli, who has exten- sive experience within the financial sphere and is currently the Chief Operating Officer of a leading ICT firm. The British High Commis- sioner, Robert Luke, and Jason Pavia remain as members of the board. They are joined by new members Caroline Farrugia, and Veronica Nardelli. In line with a policy being pro- moted at Vodafone Group level, the Foundation will be taking a new di- rection in terms of the projects and initiatives that it supports. This policy, referred to as 'Mobiles 4 Good', will see an emphasis on us- ing the liberating power of mobile technology to mobilise and deliver social change. The Foundation will therefore remain active in the social, medical, environment and heritage fields and will be identifying projects in these areas where the most in- novative application of mobile net- works can be utilised to bring about tangible improvements. Belair Property has announced its collaboration with Hilton Malta in a campaign, entitled 'List with us'. Property owners who list their property with Belair will be in with the chance of winning one of three grand prizes, courtesy of Hilton Malta. "The idea behind the 'List with us' campaign is to simplify the proce- dure for owners to list their proper- ty for sale or rental while highlight- ing the fact that Belair Property is synonymous with excellent service, based on carefully selected experi- enced and qualified property con- sultants, who are there to guide owners on how to correctly price their property, by giving crucial and honest advise on valuations, how to prepare their property for viewings by potential clients, as well as giv- ing expert guidance and advise on sale and rental agreements," ex- plained Reuben Sciberras, General Manager, Belair Property. He added that the strategy of making the listing process less cumbersome for customers is in- line with the Belair philosophy of always going that extra mile for the client, ensuring the client's needs are always at the forefront, be they a seller or buyer. By simply completing a web form online http://www.listwithus. belair.com.mt with contact details, property area and property type, owners will immediately be con- tacted by a Belair representative. Apart from the promise of excep- tional service, owners have the add- ed benefit of automatically being included in the draw for a chance to win one of the fabulous prizes offered by Hilton Malta, which in- clude a Saturday buffet dinner for four at their Oceana Restaurant as the third prize; dinner for two at the award winning Blue Elephant Restaurant as the second prize, and an amazing one night stay in a re- laxation suite at the Hilton Malta as the final prize. The Moretti Polegato family has a long-standing grape growing tradi- tion, which reflects the culture, and passion for premium quality wines of the whole Marca Trevigiana, located in heart of the Province of Treviso, Veneto. Nowdays the family owns three different wineries. Villa Sandi Targeted to the Horeca market and based in Crocetta del Montello, in the DOC area of the Prosecco wine. The range of Villa Sandi wines is the result of continuous research linked with the experience of 3 generations of wine makers in a land suitable for growing both white and red grapes. Key product is the Prosecco, but the Villa Sandi range also includes su- preme and important white and red wines. Completing the range are dif- ferent types of Grappa. AgroGento Targeted also to the Horeca market and based in Sambuca di Sicilia. The range only includes wines made from autochthonous Sicilian wine species. La Gioiosa Targeted to the off-trade market and based in Crocetta del Montel- lo. Renowned for its production of sparkling and semi-sparkling Pros- ecco of which is the largest and most important exporter, also offers the best traditional Veneto Spritzers like Hugo & Spritzzoso, white wines (such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Bianco) and red wines (such as Raboso, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon). It is cur- rently distributed in over 50 coun- tries worldwide and present in the most important chains worldwide. Villa Sandi & La Gioiosa are proudly distributed locally by Viv- ian Corporation www.viviancorp. com – www.facebook.com/vivian- food Vodafone Malta Foundation is taking a new direction