A planning application has been filed that will see a pilot experimental project to re-nourish the sandy beach at Balluta Bay, using sand from the seabed within the same bay.
The application was filed by Malta Tourism Authority chairman Gavin Gulia. The total site area would be 1,250 square metres.
The Environment and Resources Authority noted that an Environmental Impact Assessment had concluded "that environmental impacts from the development are unlikely to be significant and the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required".
St Julian's mayor Guido Dalli, speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, said that studies had been carried out a few years ago and the MTA had decided that, rather than import sand, it would collect the sand that is dispersed on the seabed throughout the bay and put it back in place, thereby extending the beach from its current size.
Dalli said he personally agrees with the project. Residents of St Julian's will remember that, years ago, the beach in the bay was much larger than the small one that exists today - the result of underwater currents displacing the sand. This proposed project is intended to remedy the situation.