Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/780138
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2017 5 JAMES DEBONO THE Environment and Resources Authority is objecting to the pro- posed erection of a 1.8 metre wall around the derelict Kalanka hotel which is now being proposed for re- development. If constructed the wall would ef- fectively block picturesque views of the coastline even if it gives pe- destrians a right of way in parts of it. A decision on this application is expected today. The wall is being proposed by Kenneth Abela, who bought the derelict hotel in August 2015 and is proposing the wall to "demarcate" his property from the adjacent rural path. Abela already owned 23,135 square metres of rural land in the vicinity of the proposed hotel. The proposed wall exceeds the maximum height of 1.2 metres for rubble walls set by law. The Environment and Resources Authority has objected to the pro- posed wall insisting that its height should be limited to 1.2 metres and should be integrated in the applica- tion for the construction of the new hotel. The developer's architect has ar- gued that the proposed wall is of the same height as adjacent walls. But this claim was disputed by the PA case officer assessing the case, who argues that the only walls high- er than the proposed wall are those on the opposite side of the road which had been constructed for soil retention purposes. The case officer is calling on the PA to refuse the application, arguing that the proposal "will significantly obstruct the picturesque and pano- ramic views of the area." The application seeks the redevel- opment of the former 'Delimara Bay Hotel' into an 'ecological boutique hotel' of 13 luxury suites, three 'su- perior deluxe', and one 'presidential' suite. Proposed amenities will include a lounge, bar and restaurant, gym, spa and outdoor pool but also public beach facilities at il-Kalanka t-Taw- walija, including public toilets and showers, a first aid room, storage room and waste separation facilities. Originally called the Delimara Bay Hotel, the facility was built in the 1950s, and later, due to demand, another wing and an additional sto- rey were added. Eventually, the hotel was converted into a bar and res- taurant, which remained open until 1985. The building has since been in a state of disuse and is currently in disrepair. A project development statement presented in February notes that the main objective of the proposal is to develop an 'eco-boutique' hotel that will use "innovative and sustainable technologies as far as is feasible". The ERA's screening report now concludes that the project will result in "physical changes to the site given the nature of the proposed develop- ment and the relative impacts asso- ciated with over-development in a rural area, additional take-up of ru- ral land, intensification of physical development in a sensitive environ- ment and impacts on the bay and its coastal geomorphology." News CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "For a minister to find time to visit a brothel, even if it is in his free time, reflects the state the coun- try has descended into. It is the epitome of sleaze," he insisted. According to Fenech Adami, Cardona's denial was a "cautious" one and claimed that the minis- ter was "hedging his reply," pos- sibly in anticipation of any further revelations. "The minister must come clean and reassure the coun- try that we do not have ministers who spend time in brothels." Caruana Galizia's posts on her blog throughout Tuesday also zoomed in on the fact that Cardo- na sports a 'Che Guevara' tattoo on his right shoulder, a titillating detail for readers curious about her claim that Cardona was seen coming out of a sauna. She also claimed Cardona was in the company of another man, described only as a "bald, short man", but she was unable to iden- tify the minister's companion. Cardona issued a categorical denial to the allegations yester- day morning. "This outright lie is another attempt on Caruana Galizia's part to discredit and sully an individual's reputation," Cardona said, accusing the col- umnist of peddling fake news. According to Caruana Galizia, a source who contacted her alleg- edly witnessed Cardona "emerg- ing naked from the shower shout- ing: 'Haqq ****, kemm hu kiesah l-ilma'. [how cold the water is...] This is when my source spotted him" – suggesting that the wit- ness is also Maltese. The brothel, the FKK Acapulco of Velbert, charges patrons a €40 entrance fee, but patrons can ne- gotiate separate fees with female masseuses and escorts on site. "This has not been the first in- cident where Minister Cardona has been the target of this blog- ger's writing. However, as he has done previously, the minister will continue to fulfil his role in attracting investment, strength- ening the current economic cli- mate, and creating more job op- portunities," the Ministry for the Economy said. Cardona is currently in Ger- many to participate in the first Stakeholder Forum on the Dig- itisation of European Industry, as a speaker at the invitation of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs. The forum is being held in Es- sen, 28 minutes away from Vel- bert. The Stakeholder Forum started yesterday and ends today. Minibar spend Cardona's reputation for bois- terousness may have lent itself all too easily to the allegations that were yesterday's most read news. In December 2016, the Audi- tor General slapped Cardona and his delegation on the wrist for running up a €756 alcohol bill, €318 of which were from the minibar, during a 2015 three-day visit to Dubai. His chief of staff, Mario Azzo- pardi, said he would refund the €318 minibar bill after saying that the expense was incurred from his private room. The NAO said the alcohol spend was a purchase that was "not considered as relating to of- ficial business" but was claimed as travel expenditure. Cardona was in Dubai with his chief of staff and personal as- sistant Dana Bonnici. The min- istry later said the total amount spent on alcohol was €438, with the rest of the money charged for meals. "The bill included €438 on alcohol, which is known for being quite expensive in Dubai." The NAO also said that in a trip to the Ukraine, a receipt for the purchase of €296 in personal items, were paid out of the con- tingency money granted to an unnamed travelling officer. The NAO was also irked that a "po- litically-exposed person" – no name given – was given advanc- es for use during visits abroad in the form of cash, when other travelling officers received theirs by means of a credit transfer. mvella@mediatoday.com.mt PN: Brothel allegations 'epitome of sleaze' Kalanka hotel owners propose 1.8 metre wall