Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/679878
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 6 News JAMES DEBONO THE silent incursions being made on the newly rebuilt Coast Road for a lucrative permit for a 'pit- stop' kiosk has taken a new twist: the government itself has applied for a planning permit on a redun- dant stretch of road opposite the Coastline Hotel. It is the first indication that the permit would serve as a prelude to a tender for a mobile kiosk, which is what the government ap- plication has indicated. The small kiosk would include outdoor space for tables and chairs, situ- ated on a site currently occupied by a container parked there dur- ing roadworks. Private applicants have already placed interest on other parts of the EU-funded road to erect their own kiosks, but since the land is publicly-owned their permits must ensure they have a "no ob- jection" from the Environment Protection Directorate. Only those with this relevant planning application will be considered in any future government tender for the grant of the land. Previously owners were only obliged to notify the government of their intentions, leading the Government Property Division to issue its consent after a planning decision is taken and a tender is issued. This led to a situation where people applied to build on strategic public land to get an ad- vantage over others before a ten- der is issued. Transport Malta will also be is- suing a tender for works to return another redundant stretch of the Coast Road at Bahar ic-Caghaq to its "original state". This part had been left redundant after the re-alignment of the road and has already attracted interest for the development of a private beach, car park, apart from interest in a petrol station and two kiosks lo- cated opposite the new rounda- bout. MIRIAM DALLI A spontaneous flash throng outside the Auberge de Castille yesterday saw members of Kamp Emergenza Ambjent – a new movement against the destruction of the environment – camped outside the Office of the Prime Minister in a bid to attract the authorities' attention against further environmental harm. Castille Square was turned into a campsite as some 25 tents were erected, labelled with the names of past and planned projects that have damaged or pose a threat to the en- vironment – including the construc- tion of Portomaso and a proposed swimming pool by archaeological remains at Ta' Hagrat. Inspired by similar action taken by civil societies abroad, the group also encouraged members of the public to pack a sleeping bag or a tent and join them outside the Prime Minis- ter's doorstep. "We will stay here until we feel that our message has been heard and un- derstood," Andre Callus, of pressure group Moviment Graffitti, told the press. The activists were clear in warn- ing that members of parliament and influential political figures were not welcome to show their support. "We are keen on making this space au- tonomous from those political forc- es which we consider to be respon- sible for widespread environmental destruction. If they want to do some- thing, they have other fora where to go or action they could take. "The same people who destroyed the environment for their selfish interests are the same people living in villas with pools surrounded by greenery. The rest of the people are surrounded by construction: Malta is now a desert of buildings and smoke." Specifically, the Kamp wants the government to withdraw plans for the construction of a university in Zonqor, the proposed fuel depot in Has Saptan and the recent approval of an extension to the Ramla Bay Hotel. They have also urged the Planning Authority not to process most ap- plications for development on ODZ land. The aim of Kamp Emergenza Ambjent is to develop a space where the common citizen can voice their concern about the en- vironment. "We believe that both Nationalist and Labour administra- tions have pursued a policy of favouring the few wealthy busi- nesspersons, contrac- tors and developers at the expense of the environment and the general population. "To protect our future, we have to show that we care for the environ- ment and that we are ready to put real pressure on Malta's political elite." Callus argued that Malta was by far the most built-up country in the EU, and yet new large projects that will destroy the environment are still be- ing proposed. "The environmental situation in Malta has become an emergency, and its ongoing destruc- tion poses a threat to the country's future. It poses a threat to our quality of life, and our right to health, unpol- luted air, and access to green spaces. We will stay here until we feel that our message has been heard and under- stood." The Kamp demand- ed that the "state- sponsored environ- mental destruction" stops immediately. "Our future is at stake since environ- mental degradation through overdevel- opment, land, air and sea pollution and climate change are directly affecting our quality of life." The people, they said, have lost tracts of public land to private inter- ests through projects such as Porto- maso, SmartCity and Tigne Point: "A number of people here today have been at the forefront in oppos- ing these projects. We ask: who has benefitted from this massive grab of public land and intense develop- ment? We are convinced that the majority did not gain anything from such projects. "We now see history repeating it- self with the proposition of Sadeen's private institute at Zonqor and Dock 1. We are also seeing a return to past times with regard to ODZ bounda- ries. After the infamous removal of land from ODZ boundaries by George Pullicino in 2006, [deputy prime minister] Louis Grech last February declared that there will be further 'tweaking'." The Kamp said it was of concern that the government was planning a racetrack that could be built on ODZ land; as were the recent deci- sion to fast-track applications for swimming pools in ODZ areas and the high mercury levels in Maltese waters. SITUATION VACANT COURT NOTICE The Registrar, Civil Courts and Tribunals notifies that the First Hall of the Civil Court ordered the sale by Judicial Auction of the following property to be held in the corridors of the Courts of Justice, Republic Street, Valletta. Date and Time Judicial Sale No Property 26th May 2016 23/16 – 12.00pm Violet Degabriele Passaport Nru: 598904 vs Dr Noel Bartolo et Noe. EM Ground floor tenement common entrance with two other apartment number thirty three (33) in Triq Isouard, Sliema, free and unencumbered valued at one hundred and forty thousand euro (€140,000) 26 th May 2016 24/16 – 12.00pm Simone Eve Collett Sammut et. 407902(L) vs Adam Sammut et 70303L PP Tenement first floor maisonette named 'Rosemary Edith House', Triq D Famucelli, Ibrag limits Swieqi, bounded on north with the same street, east with property of Alexander Pisani and west with Joseph Caruana, subject to annual and perpetual ground rent of one hundred and four euro and eighty two cents (€104.82) valued at two hundred thousand euro (€200,000). Further details can be obtained from the website: http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/courtservices/JudicialSales/search.aspx The bidders taking part in the auction must present their identity card. Rudolph Marmara' For the Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals Activists camped outside Castille in protest at environmental degradation Coast Road: Now government applies for kiosk Andre Callus, from Moviment Graffitti, says environmental destruction is heavily compromising people's well-being. 25 tents have been erected outside Castille in protest