Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/982634
NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 16 MAY 2018 2 JAMES DEBONO THE wife of former Gozo minister Anton Refalo has ap- plied for a change in use of a residential house into a three- star hotel that lies outside de- velopment zones. The site in Tal-Malvi in Qa- la, where Refalo's wife Lina is proposing an ODZ hotel, was subject to two enforce- ment orders in the past two decades. These irregularities were regularised by two suc- cessful applications to sanc- tion additions which had been carried out without a permit. If approved, the new 3-star hotel being proposed through the addition of a new base- ment floor will overlook the picturesque Dahhlet Qorrot Bay. Piecemeal development on the 2000 sq.m site, includ- ing various additions to the existing farmhouse, a swim- ming pool approved in 2004, and extensive landscaping works carried out between 1998 and 2018, have dras- tically changed the topog- raphy of the site as can be confirmed by a comparison of aerial photos taken by the Planning Authority. In 2009 the PA justified the regularisation of a reservoir and landscaping works as these were in line with the landscaping layout already approved in the previous ap- plications, while the reser- voir was deemed acceptable as it complimented the use of the garden. All applications presented up to 2004 had been pre- sented by Anton Refalo who was already a Labour MP at the time. But all applications presented on the site after 2009 were presented by his wife Lina. The latest application fore- sees excavations beneath the farmhouse to accommodate hotel rooms and ancillary services. The 2014 rural pol- icy allows the development of basement levels and facili- tates a change of use of legal establishments. Former minister's wife requests permit for ODZ hotel Site subjected to two enforcement orders in 2002 and 2009, both regularised in subsequent years Anton Refalo's planning saga October 1998 – PA refuses Anton Refalo's application for an additional room to dwelling January 2000 – Appeals Tribunal revokes refusal and issues permit for an additional room 2001– Enforcement order issued against Anton Refalo for extensions carried out not according to approved plans November 2001– Application presented by Anton Refalo to sanction additions to dwelling is refused October 2002 – Sanctioning of additions approved following reconsideration August 2004 – Anton Refalo's application for Swimming Pool approved 2009 – PA issues enforcement order against construction of reservoir, variations regarding the paving area and construction of rubble walls September 2009 – PA approves new landspacing scheme and regularises reservoir as proposed in application presented by Lino Refalo. January 2015 – Application for landscaping scheme renewed Police association: 'Society lacking in respect towards authority' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Sources said that the 17-year-old driv- er hit the policeman near Lidl and kept driving, carrying the officer along on the car bonnet. The policeman later fell off the car, and was run over by it, next to the industrial area. Schembri is a police constable from Paola and has three children. An ambulance took the constable to Mater Dei hospital where he is current- ly receiving treatment. The underage driver, confirmed to be Liam Debono, appears to have later crashed the car he was driving in Triq Ħal Farruġ, Luqa before being appre- hended by the police. The road was closed to traffic while police investigations continued. Prime Minister's comments Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said he knew the injured constable personally, since the officer was part of his police escort on a few occasions. "The policeman is in the intensive care unit, being treated for serious in- juries – I hope he is not in any other danger," Muscat said, "I thank the po- lice for catching the person who alleg- edly committed this grave act, but we will leave it to the justice system to deal with the matter." The Prime Minister had earlier tweet- ed about the incident, offering solidar- ity. The Malta Police Association has cat- egorically condemned the incident, say- ing that what had happened was unac- ceptable in "a society that was meant to be a civil and normal one". It said that, without prejudicing even- tual court proceedings, it could not remain silent when a "colleague and member of the police force that repre- sents the authority of the state ends up in such a situation while carrying out his duties". "We fear, and would be delusional if we did not recognise and accept, that this is a reflection of a society that is lacking in every form of discipline and respect towards authority and those representing it," said the MPA in a statement. "In this culture, where sensationalism often dictates the agenda of those who govern, there is a need for a greater ap- preciation of the police both as an au- thority as well as people, individuals, workers, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers." Furthermore, the MPA said that, as it had done in recent years, it was calling on the government to take serious ac- tion in the face of the current situation and the danger that policemen encoun- ter on a daily basis. "We can't assure the safety of the pub- lic if there is no form of discipline on the roads. Everyone must take respon- sibility for this, starting with the coun- try's highest authorities, all the way to families in their homes." The MPA said it would be doing eve- rything in its power to ensure that jus- tice was served. PN condemnation The Nationalist Party also released a statement, showing solidarity and support with Schembri and his family. "The PN condemns all forms of vio- lence against police officers, who risk their lives for citizens every day," the statement read. It urged the government to take the decisions that would provide police officers with all the protection pos- sible. PC Simon Schembri