Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/863487
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 AUGUST 2017 6 KENNETH Abela is seeking ap- proval for his redevelopment of the former Delimara Bay Hotel' into an "ecological boutique hotel" of 13 luxury suites, three 'superior deluxe', and one 'presidential' suite. Apart from the typical lounge, bar and restaurant, gym, spa and outdoor pool, he also wants to add toilets and showers to the public beach facilities at il-Kalanka t-Tawwalija. Abela insists that the overriding public benefit of his project is pro- viding these public facilities for the public beach, with his ultimate aim to turn the remote cove – a no-go area replete with trapping illegalities – into a blue flag beach. And that is also the reason he is not budging on his idea to tunnel all the way from his hotel to the beach, despite serious concerns from environmental consultants that the excavation will undermine the cliff's stability. An impact assessment has sug- gested "the omission of the tunnel and beach facilities would consid- erably mitigate the impact of the scheme in respect of the geomor- phology of the area and the stability of the cliff". But Abela insists the tunnel was conceived after meetings with the Malta Tourism Authority, Nature Trust and the Malta Tourism Authority, and that it is vital to his ultimate aim of securing a "beach of quality status" for Kalanka as the first step in securing blue flag status. For blue flag status requires that beach facilities are accessible for all, including disabled people who would be allowed to use the tunnel for beach access. As things stand it is accessible through a 30m stair- case, which Abela says is "unaccep- table" given that only one bay in the south of the island is accessible to disabled people. The only alternative would be an unsightly lift connecting the beach to a bridge to the hotel, he says, while the tunnel would be beneath the hotel, underground. So why not leave the beach as it is today instead of introducing beach facilities, which will attract more people to what is today… a remote beach? "Just visit the beach at the week- end and see with your own eyes the waste some people leave behind… What is best, leaving everything as it is or have proper management to keep the beach clean and up to standard?" Abela replies. "The question is whether it is worth building a tunnel to achieve this aim. If yes the only way to achieve it is through a tunnel because the other alternatives are worse." But Abela also downplays the geo- logical risks to the cliff-face, saying the excavation would not encroach within 2m-3m of the cliff line, and that excavations would use a drum excavator, or a quarry chainsaw, so as to disturb the rock as little as pos- sible. Samples of the cliff indicate that the globigerina rock face can withstand the proposed works. "I would be the main loser if the cliff collapses as I would lose my whole investment." Abela rules out completely the fear that he is effectively privatising the beach. "How can I do that when the Public Domain Act specifies that the first 15 metres of the coast should be public domain?" He even rules out putting sun beds on the beach, saying this is precluded by the topography of the site. "You don't need to own a hotel to put sun beds on a beach. Sun beds in Armier and Comino were not put out by hotel owners… the beach will remain as it is today with the only difference being the new public facilities." The Environment and Resources Authority says the built-up area will increase from 343 sq.m to 561 sq.m with concrete terracing to the west of the building replaced with landscaping. Abela says an existing one-storey high, 707 sq.m concrete terrace is not being included in the footprint of the existing hotel. "When the concrete terrace is taken into account, the project as proposed reduces the footprint by 100 sq.m." Yet photomontages show that the project will have a marked visual impact. The new hotel will be far more visible than the present structure. The EIA warns that the scheme will result in a large change in the rural and natural landscape with the introduction of a larger, modern and taller hotel building. Abela says his project must retain "viability", and that feasibility stud- ies show that anything less than 17 rooms will not make a return. "I could have opted for a smaller structure with fewer rooms and then applied for an extension at a later stage after the hotel opened using the excuse that as approved it is not viable. Instead I want to lay all the cards on the table rather than opting for piecemeal applications." Abela was forthcoming with a solemn commitment not to seek any extension of the project in the future, if his project is approved in the first place, but was adamant on not reducing the scale of the project as proposed. But what would the general public gain of a fully functional hotel in this remote site be, ultimately? The EIA report itself warns about the impacts of "more commercial activ- ity in the area, which is currently remote and not highly frequented by people". Abela replies by asking: "what does the public gain by keeping the derelict building as it is?... [people will be] relaxing and taking a cof- fee on the terrace of the hotel, the all-year-round use of the site which presently is only frequented in sum- mer, the public beach facilities and greater surveillance in the area." Abela denounced the illegal poaching that has rendered Deli- mara a no-go area, justifying a mas- sive 1.8m wall that was approved by the PA to encircle the derelict hotel, which according to him only obstructed the views of squatters who lived on his land. So wouldn't everyone be better off if the derelict hotel is simply demol- ished and the area restored to its pristine state? Abela says that when he bought the building in 2015 it was no garden, but a property with a permit for a restaurant. "I have already paid a price for land which is deemed developable," he said, and then referred to Nature Trust's hostel and interpretation centre, also located in a protected area. "What is the difference between the proposed hotel in Kalanka and this hostel?" Even if his hotel is not approved, Abela will not stop there. "Instead of a hotel, I will apply for a resi- dence – something permitted by the PA's rural policy." News 14th September 2017 12.00pm 4/17 - JGL Banif Bank Malta plc. C41030 vs Antoine Xerri et ID 343572M The house numbered 53, named 'Solitaire', in Triq ix-Xitwa, Ħal Qormi, free and unencumbered, with all its rights and appurtenances valued at €340,000. The garage including its airspace officially numbered 14, accessible from an internal yard abutting onto Triq Edgar Ferro, G'Mangia, having an active right of passage over the said yard and drive-in, bounded on the East with the said drive-in on the North with property of Henry Calleja or his successors in title and on the South with property of Mario Mallia and others or their successors in title valued at €18,000. 19th September 2017 11.30am 65/14 - EM Gerald Buhagiar I.D.763359M vs Aaron Schembri I.D.101584M The tenement 102, named 'Whistle' in Triq Santa Marija, Ħal Tarxien including its airspace subject to annual and perpetual ground rent of €4.66 valued at €150,000. 26th September 2017 11.00am 22/17 - AZ Theresa Suban I.D. 295040M vs Mario Schembri et Field known as 'Ta Buqana', limits of Rabat valued at €18,634.98 26th September 2017 11.30am 23/17 - EGL Theresa Suban I.D. 295040M vs Doris Zammit et Garden numbered 44 in Triq it- Torri, Mosta valued at €65,222. 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 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 Time Judicial Sale No Property 5th September 2017 10.30am 14/16 - JGL Banif Bank Malta plc. C 41030 vs Comprod Group Ltd. et. C 28020 Garage without official number, but named 'Carmel Garage', in Triq l-Għollieq, Santa Venera, underlying third party property, bounded on the East with the said street, on the North by property of Carmelo Meilaq and on the South by property of brothers Calleja, formely property of Joseph Scerri and Emanuel Cutajar, and subject to annual and perpetual sub ground rent of €34.94, payable in advance to Carmelo Bajada or his successors in title, otherwise free and unencumbered with all its rights and appurtenances, having in common with the overlying flats the drains and drainage system valued at €150,000 The unnamed apartment, but internally officially numbered number 2, on the second floor, forming part of a block of three apartments without official number known as 'Alison Flats' in Triq l- Istampaturi, Santa Venera, bounded with the said street, South by property of the Conservatory Vincenzo Buġeja or its successors in title and West by Triq il- Mastrudaxxi, free and unencumbered with all its rights and appurtenances and included is undivided share of the common parts, the entrance, the stairwell, stairs and one third (⅓) divided share of the roof of the block, that is the part on the façade of the block and this apartment was the matrimonial home of Roderick and Natasha spouses Falzon valued at €115,000 7th September 2017 10.30am 104/98 - JGL Joseph Azzopardi ET NOE vs Raymond Zammit ET. NOE Tenements numbered from 380 till 387 in St. Paul's Street, Saint Paul's Bay, together built on land measuring approximately 352.07 square meters, with the land at the back approximately measuring 799.12 square meters and thus the overall measuring land is approximately measuring 1131.19 square meters, valued together at €850,000 12th September 2017 10.30am 11/17 - JGL Maria Dolores Caniglia ID 700960M vs Property numbered 24 in Triq l- Oratorju, Hal Qormi, on the first floor with its airspace, overlying a third party garage with all its rights and appurtanences.The property is free and unencumbered valued at €75,000. Kalanka developer: 'I won't privatise beach' Kenneth Abela's proposed hotel in Delimara has attracted 450 objections. Unfazed, he tells JAMES DEBONO why he is adamant on a tunnel to connect the hotel to the remote Kalanka beach Photomontage of hotel as proposed, compared to present situation "What's best, leaving everything as it is or have proper management to keep the beach clean and up to standard?"