Plans for a pontoon to be built in Balluta Bay to become a commercial port, which was approved by the Planning Authority, has officially been withdrawn, St Julian’s mayor Albert Buttigieg said yesterday.

Fortina Group, an enterprise for tourist industries, filed an application in 2020 to build a pontoon to land ferry passengers close to the St Julian’s water polo club.  The PA approved the application which allows for a hop-on, hop-off ferry service by Fortina, which owns Captain Morgan ferries.

Several NGOs, the St Julian’s local council and residents of the area objected to the plans which included the building of a pontoon of 130 sqm.

Buttigieg posted a video on his Facebook page saying that the application was withdrawn by Fortina Group. He thanked Fortina for listening to the resident’s objections and difficulties, while thanking the St Julian’s residents for supporting the local council in their request to stop the operations for the pontoon.

The video shows the trenches set for the pontoon being removed.

“Balluta bay should remain the people’s bay,” remarked Buttigieg, noting that another chapter has been closed.