AFM withdraws objection to football ground application

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) has backed down after strongly objecting to a planning application, withdrawing it just days ago, that would see part of a building connected to the AFM football ground in Kirkop turned into a clubhouse.

The application, according to the Planning Authority (PA) website “is to change the use from a multipurpose hall to clubhouse at the roof floor level. The proposal also includes the change in materials of an external window from timber to aluminium timber-like apertures.” The site is the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Football Ground, located at Triq 29 ta Mejju 1592 at Triq Taż-Żebbiegħ in Kirkop.”

According to a letter which had previously been presented to the Planning Authority, the AFM said that the applicant was asking for permission to change the use of the property, “from what he calls a multi-purpose hall, but is effectively a dressing room, to a clubhouse, to a form of każin.” Originally the request was to be heard before the planning commission; however the AFM asked for it to be heard by the PA board due to the precedent an approval decision could create.

The AFM had said that it had given temporary permission to Kirkop United FC so that, at specific times when the AFM was not be using the football ground, the children of the locality would be able to practise the sport and use the adjacent dressing room facilities. The letter reads that a certain Joe Farrugia (it is unclear whether this is the same Joe Farrugia who is the chairman of Kirkop United FC ), with whom the AFM has no juridical relationship and who has no juridical interest or title on the property, presented an application to form a clubhouse on this property “that remains a military base and also happens to serve as a detention centre facility for irregular migrants. The GPD’s relationship is also strictly with the AFM and not Joseph Farrugia.”

“The AFM strongly objects to the presence of a clubhouse on the property which it has possession of and title to,” the AFM had originally said, adding that the proposal for a clubhouse certainly did not fall within the scope of defence and national security. The AFM had said concessions that occurred regarding the temporary use of the football ground at limited times did not extend to the creation of a clubhouse and ancillary activities and the difficulties it can bring with it.”

The AFM had strongly objected to the application. However, in today’s sitting, lawyer and government whip Byron Camilleri, who appeared also with Nationalist Party MP and architect Toni Bezzina said that discussions had been held, and informed the authority that a letter from the AFM to the CEO of the Lands Authority on 27 July informed him that there was no more objection to that part of the building being used as a clubhouse.

The PA board took a preliminary vote indicating its intention to overturn the Planning Directorate’s recommendation for refusal and to approve the clubhouse. A final vote will now be taken at a later date.