Opposition MP Evarist Bartolo asked Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino: Why is the Malta Environment and Planning Authority allowing the destruction of the beach under Islet Promenade in Bugibba, which till now could be enjoyed in its natural state, and is now being given over to private developers?

Minister Pullicino replied that he understood Mr Bartolo to be referring to the beach on the right of Bugibba’s Bay Square where at present there are some concrete platforms on which children’s games are set up in summer.

This site is the subject of an outline application submitted by architect Charles Buhagiar for Med Design, proposing the upgrading of the site and including spaces for games and landscaping (paving, benches, lights and trees), ramps for accessibility, first aid rooms, a ticket booth, and a small bar – all made of wood. The full application, submitted by the same architect, was accepted on condition that a 15-metre space is kept free on the sea side, that the site is used exclusively in summer, that the wooden structures be dismantled in the other months, and that the site remains open to the public.

Recently a further application has been submitted to Mepa to amend permit PA 2207/03 so that the bar and the first aid room be incorporated in the building which at present houses the public convenience. This application still has to be processed, the minister said.