The Planning Authority has approved a controversial hotel in Delimara despite receiving hundreds of objections from the public and various NGOs.
The meeting was derailed for 40 minutes when PA Board Chairman Vince Cassar took umbrage when an environmental activist, concerned about the larger footprint being built up on the outside development zone, is said to have became rowdy and called Environment Resources Authority chairman Victor Asiak by his first name, instead of ‘Professor’.
When the activist refused to leave the meeting and claimed to have apologised, Rapid Intervention Unit officers as well as regular police officers were called to remove the activist. The PA has since issued a statement to deny the activist's version of events making the rounds on social media.
The approved development will be replacing a derelict hotel building which once existed, however it will be taking up a larger footprint than the old building.
The PA described the new development as a “high-end, ecological boutique hotel”.
It was approved by the Board with eight votes in favour and three votes against. Those who objected to the application were, NGOs representative Annick Bonello and Opposition representative Marthese Portelli. They cited the added built-up footprint as well as the areas rural characteristics as reasons for their objection.
In a press release issued this afternoon, the PA said that this “redevelopment” will “open a new window of opportunity for tourism accommodation in the South of Malta”.
It overlooks Kalanka t-Tawwalija, limits of Marsaxlokk and lies within an area protected for its ecological importance.
Demolition of the existing dilapidated structures and the construction of a new 17 room hotel, including a lounge area, bar and restaurant, outdoor pool and spa area will take place.
The original hotel which dates back to the 1950’s covers a footprint of 343m², whilst the existing hard landscaping covers 707m², resulting in a total disturbed area of 1,040m². The re-development project will not go beyond this disturbed footprint area. Flatly installed photovoltaic panels will only be permitted at roof level.
An application for a tunnel linking the hotel to the beach has been withdrawn by developers after the ERA found that building it would undermine the structural integrity of the cliff face.
In a press release issued by the PA where it announced the Delimara hotel approval, it also described that the board refused to grant planning permission for the extension of an existing open storage facility at Triq Tal-Ibrag, Ibrag, Swieqi.
“The proposed works included the construction of a shed and the allocation of a large area for the storage of material. This proposed site was previously earmarked to be restored to agricultural land. “The site is located outside the development zone of Gharghur and is surrounded primarily by rural land, other quarries and some residences. The Board cited that the approval of this development application would encourage further piecemeal development within the area and therefore stimulate further unjustified development within an area which harbours a rural nature.”