The Qala Local Council has filed an appeal to overturn an approved application for a “massive lagoon-like pool” by Gozitan Joseph Portelli, which will be encroaching into undeveloped ODZ land.

PA 8143/21 is the application for the site at, Hal Wardija, Triq ta’ Kassja, Triq il-Wardija, New street off Triq Ta’ Kassja and Triq il-Wardija.

The application is “to sanction excavation of site and proposed construction of 2 pools as well as soft landscaping,” it was submitted by architect was Alexander Bigeni.

In a statement, Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg said that, in August, the Planning Commission, chaired by Martin Camilleri, approved this take up of ODZ land by Gozitan Joseph Portelli’s company despite the fact that ERA had objected.

Mayor Buttigieg pointed out that, in fact the ERA had objected to the three ODZ applications leading up to this application and “the Planning Commission ignored it every time.”

The Qala Local Council last year presented a formal objection to the application by Gozitan developer Joseph Portelli, for the sanctioning of the excavation works that were being carried out while under appeal and in an ODZ.

Buttigieg argued that “the Planning Commission is ignoring the law, ignoring ERA and ignoring the environment.”

He stated that, “the Qala Local Council will persist in challenging these terrible decisions on behalf of the community and all who genuinely care for the environment.”

Photo: Qala Local Council

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