Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/614946
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2015 9 News 5FOEFSGPS1SPDVSFNFOU PGB)PVTJOH.BOBHFNFOU4PMVUJPOBOESFMBUFETFSWJDFT 0òFSTDMPTFPOUI+BOVBSZBUBN "DMBSJöDBUJPONFFUJOHTIBMMCFIFMEPOUI+BOVBSZBUBNBU )BCJUBU)BMM7JMIFOB4USFFU'MPSJBOB 5FOEFSEPDVNFOUJTUPCFWJFXFEEPXOMPBEFEBOETVCNJUUFE 0/ 0/-:UISPVHIUIFFUFOEFSTXFCTJUFPO XXXFUFOEFSTHPWNU ̓ Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 "Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges" Project may be considered for part-financed by the European Regional and Development Fund Co-financing rate: 80% European Union; 20% National Funds Why food kiosks are making investors hungry for public land Erecting a permanent kiosk on public land means you have to first secure a planning permit, and then 'hope' that the Government Property Division issues a tender for the parcel of land JAMES DEBONO KIOSK business… is serious busi- ness. At least, that's the way it looks according to the way the Government Property Division (GPD) allows prospective appli- cants to secure a piece of public land for a food retail kiosk. The GPD has so far issued no tender for the development of ki- osks on government-owned land along the EU-funded Coast Road – dubbed somewhat triumphantly by Transport Malta as the island's 'most beautiful road'. But this precious piece of road is fast becoming a magnet for com- mercial development proposals seeking to exploit this strategic location, despite being outside de- velopment boundaries (ODZ). And the reason lies in the intri- cacies of Malta's planning laws. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can apply for a planning permit to 'de- velop a kiosk' with the Malta En- vironment and Planning Author- ity on public land. However, the land itself must be allocated by the GPD, after the issue of a planning permit. Here lies the rub. As explained to MaltaToday when it inquired about two kiosks seeking permits for development without having any claim on the Coast Road land, it is only after a call for tenders is issued that land for a "permanent" kiosk can be allocated – tempo- rary ones only need a mere en- croachment permit signed off by the lands minister. And that means that only appli- cants who are already in posses- sion of a planning permit can be eligible to participate in a future tender for the allocation of land for a permanent kiosk. So if only one person applies for a permit on a particular site, it is only that person who will be eli- gible to tender in a public call for the siting of a permanent kiosk on public land. It is no wonder that this system naturally benefits any- one with inside information on prospective tenders in particular locations. The snag is that prospective ap- plicants may request permits "in the dark" without any certainty that a tender will eventually be issued, apart from the fact that more than one person may end up applying on the same site. That means that enterprising individu- als should first seek lucrative loca- tions, then apply for a permit and hope that a tender is issued after the permit is obtained. The GPD on its part can consider any site for the allocation to place a kiosk, but permission is granted only if a MEPA permit is obtained and the site is available for alloca- tion. A tender must be then issued to lease the site for the construc- tion of a permanent kiosk. The golden mile The GPD has so far not issued any tenders for the development of kiosks on government-owned land along the Coast Road. Two kiosks are now being proposed along the road on the other side of the new roundabout where a pet- rol station is also being proposed by the Bilom construction group. The two applications, for an ice- cream parlour and a take-away, both located on the strategically- placed land parcel, were presented by Elaine and Clint Galea, a couple from Fgura, each having the same futuristic design: 3.7 metres high and each occupying a site area of around 20 square metres. The application states that the applicants have notified the own- er of the land (the government) of their intention to develop a kiosk. MEPA postpones decision on Gaffarena kiosk MEPA is also presently consid- ering an application by property entrepreneur Mark Gaffarena, well known to those who follow the news as a noted beneficiary of government largesse for the ex- propriation of the Old Mint Street palazzo housing the BICC offices. He has applied to build a small 20 square metre kiosk in a strate- gic commercial location in Spino- la, St Julian's. Constructing the proposed kiosk would involve the excavation of a basement under the footprint of the structure. A tourist information centre has already been approved in the same location and another application has also been presented by Joseph Tanti on the same site. The kiosk from which Gaffarena plans to sell snacks and drinks is being proposed on the public pavement near the former play- ground opposite the Hilton hotel. As owner of the land, the Lands Department has been notified of this application. Although the MEPA case officer has recommended refusal, the Environment Planning Commis- sion has postponed its decision to 8 January, to give Gaffarena's ar- chitect the opportunity to present new plans to address the reasons for refusal. The major objection to the kiosk is that it does not con- form to sanitary regulations and the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage has not approved the proposed excavations. The case officer also says a tour- ist information office with a permit to sell pre-packed foods, proposed by Daniel Grima, has already been approved on the same site. The application had originally been also recommended for refusal. Another application for a kiosk on the same site presented by Joseph Tanti is also being recom- mended for refusal due to objec- tions by the sanitary authorities. The scramble for a kiosk on this particular pavement may well in- dicate great expectations for a gov- ernment tender for the erection of kiosks on this lucrative site. Climate change: AD calls on government to do its part ALTERNATTIVA Demokratika urged the government to do its part in the global effort to reduce emissions. AD chairperson Arnold Cas- sola welcomed the conclusions of the Paris COP21 Climate Change summit. AD activists wore vests emphasising the importance of tackling climate change. The vests carried the European Green Party's message: 'There is no Planet B'. Cassola pointed out that coun- tries such as Saudi Arabia, despite their wealth, were resisting chang- es to their economy and "shame- fully refusing" to help poor coun- tries. "It is extremely important that the Paris COP21 conference re- sults in a strong commitment to tackle climate change," AD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo said. He said that even though the government approved a National Sustainable Development Plan in 2008, this remained on paper and was completely ignored. Cacopardo said that "reducing the country's dependence on fos- sil fuels is an opportunity to re- duce the impact on the climate, clean the air, reduce pollution and build a modern, sustainable green economy." AD's spokesperson on trans- port and energy, Ralph Cassar, expressed the hope that the Paris accords, despite shortcomings, will provide a good basis to get developed countries to carry their responsibility and help the most vulnerable countries to develop sustainably.