Captain Morgan denies claims it is hindering public access

Captain Morgan is categorically denying claims made in the media that it is attempting to take over a larger part of the Balluta Bay shore “by stealth”.

At no point in the plans is Captain Morgan preventing the public from using the foreshore, or any parts of it, and this is clearly safeguarded by Transport Malta as one of the conditions of the permit.

The Minor Amendment update submitted by JBA, the architects for this project, faithfully reflects the original plans and contrary to what was claimed, it will actually lessen the impact on the nearshore seabed without hindering public access to the existing quayside.

Anybody bothering to go through the plans, will see that the minor amendment shows the structural dimensioning of the actual pontoon to be installed and the details of the fixity on the quay due to the Nature Permit renewal.

Fixity is a dowel grouted in the quay, and when works are complete this will not change the visual and physical characteristics of the existing quay.

A Minor Amendment cannot change the principle of the development, but may only change specific details, most of which would normally be necessitated at development stage due to technical/structural issues.

JBA reiterated that not only did the Minor Amendment not veer from the approved permit, but its description says: “Minor amendments include an update in the structural system of the pontoon. The pontoon’s footprint on the seabed has been decreased and the structural members shall be more slender. Structural details of the anchorage provided at the quay have also been provided.”

JBA also rebutted claims that the railing was being inferred to exclude the general public. The approved plans show that a railing was to be installed and made it amply clear that the railing will be compliant with the permit since “its sole purpose is for accessibility for all, which is a requirement”.