800 object to latest application for a catamaran pontoon Balluta Bay

Two local councils and eight organisations yesterday expressed their indignation at what they said was Fortina’s latest attempt to take over Balluta Bay through their application for a pontoon that would service their 33-meter tourist catamaran going in and out of the bay 22 times a day.

The application - PA 07251/21 – seeks to build a larger pontoon on the same site of another, alreadyapproved, application (PA 7628/19) which is currently being appealed in front of the environmental tribunal (EPRT) by several organisations and the St Julian’s local council. Fortina had also tried to commence irregular works on the pontoon in June this year - during a season when such works are not allowed - but was physically blocked by residents and activists for a whole week, until the company had to back down, the statement said.

This latest application is further proof of the insatiable greed of certain companies and their total disregard for existing planning policies, the people’s wellbeing and environmental integrity. The pontoon is planned in the middle of a swimming zone, and a zone that is unequivocally not designated as a ferry/landing place in the Local Plan.

The ferry will pollute the small bay as well as displace the swimming, sports and recreational activities taking place there. To make matters worse, the area in question is congested by excessive commercialisation and the same company has already taken over a large part of the Sliema coast through its Captain Morgan cruises and their activities. Thus, Fortina’s attempted expansion into Balluta Bay constitutes an act of reprehensible greed that seeks to shamelessly steal from the people the little public space that is left in the area.

Over 800 individuals have formally objected to the Planning Authority (PA) against Fortina’s newest application. However, Fortina knows that it has the Planning Authority and other Government entities do its bidding, disregarding planning policies and the people’s concerns in the process, as evidenced by the Planning Commission’s approval of Fortina’s first pontoon application.

Nevertheless, the people will clearly not accept further erosion of their quality of life and are committed to fighting against the occupation of public spaces by commercial interests, using both legal and direct actions if necessary.