With the demand for bed spaces in retirement homes ever increasing, the Planning Authority has sought to address this issue by publishing a planning policy which will give these developments more flexibility. The policy also aims to incentivize improvement in the service delivery to older persons who require long-term care facilities and better their quality of life.

The new policy allows retirement homes to increase their overall height by an additional two floors. This change in the building height, over what is permitted in the Local Plan for the area, comes with the prerequisite that the resultant design features a high quality product in keeping with the urban context. No blank walls will be allowed.

The height adjustment policy cannot be applied to retirement homes that are located Outside Development Zone, along a ridge edge and Grade 1 scheduled buildings.

The policy makes a provision that in the event that the operation of a retirement home ceases, that part of the development permitted under this policy will be required to be removed at the owner's full expense.

The approved policy document and the submissions that the Authority received during the public consultation phase may be downloaded from the Authority's website www.pa.org.mt.