PLANS for a major recreational development at Tubli Bay have been put on hold, after it emerged the designs strayed into a protected area.
The Capital Trustees Board had approved a second phase development of the Tubli Walkway.
However, when it emerged it would contravene protected zones members inserted a clause that requires National Assembly approval for the work to go ahead.
It also stipulated an environmental assessment by the Supreme Council for the Environment was necessary to ensure marine resources were not destroyed by the project that would stretch 700 metres along the coast.
In addition, it inserted a requirement for Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf to consult the Cabinet about the plans.
The clauses were added following the Capital Trustees Board’s vote at its Manama headquarters.
Board services and public utilities committee chairman Dr Abdulwahid Al Nakkal said the new designs required redrawing the borders of the Tubli Bay protected area, so that phase one and phase two of the new recreational development could be linked by land reclamation.
“For the new project to go ahead we will have to move the protective boundary 20m into the sea, so reclamation work can be done to link the first phase and the second so it reaches 1.1km,” he said.
“The existing walkway can’t be continued since it is too close to homes on land and for it to be stretched we have to go into water,” he added.
“The project is for public good and we have to make a choice on whether to be content with the existing or push back the borderline.”
The Tubli Bay conservation area measured 13.5sqkm when it was created by a 2006 law.
However, in 2012 MPs claimed it had shrunk to two-thirds of that size and expressed concerns that by 2020 it would just be a few kilometres of swamp.
Phase one of the walkway development currently stretches 400m along the coast and opened to the public last year.
Capital Trustees Board chairman Mohammed Al Khozaie said a budget for the new extension had already been allocated, but the delay was necessary.
“The project has a budget allocated and now, with our approval, it will be included with projects to do this year – but things are much more complicated than they appear,” he said.
“The (Tubli Bay) border is protected by law and to shift it, Mr Khalaf has to present an explanation to the Cabinet, which has to amend the Tubli Bay Protection Law with the new co-ordinates and present it to the National Assembly before this project can see the light.
“This process is lengthy and we have to get it done in the fastest time possible to allow the project to go ahead as intended, as it serves public good.
“The place is already very popular and crowded. It would be heartbreaking to lose the allocated budget and see it go elsewhere.”
The GDN reported in December 2012 that work to fence off parts of the bay to stop illegal reclamation was put on hold due to a lack of funds.
Areas outside protected waters were also due to be sectioned off with buoys after numerous cases of trespassing.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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