Sannat public footpath between apartments and pools blocked off with pallets

by Gozo News · July 23, 2025

A resident of Sannat has submitted photos to Gozo News saying that the public pedestrian footpath located at Triq ta’ Bebunaq, Sannat, has been closed off using wooden pallets, describing it “as if we are within a war zone.”

The pedestrian footpath in question lies between an apartment block and two “illegal swimming pools” located in the development.

The path has been blocked in this manner for around a week according to the resident, and it is not known who blocked it or for what purpose.

Back in March, activist group Moviment Graffitti visited the site in Sannat “to shed light on the upcoming ploy to eliminate part of a pedestrian footpath by Joseph Portelli and his partners.”

Graffitti said that it was highlighting “how Joseph Portelli is now seeking to take over a public path so that the PA can re-issue the permits for the illegal pools.”

A Planning Control Application PC/00022/24 which covers this public footpath is “to eliminate part of a pedestrian footpath.” The applicant is Mark Agius, through architect Saviour Micallef.

The Planning Control Application is currently pending assessment with the case status showing “Awaiting proposal on topographic survey.”