A proposal to construct a 4-star hotel on Villa Leoni, a property scheduled as Grade 2 in Balluta Bay has been filed with the Planning Authority.

The application reads as follows: “Proposal of 4 Star Hotel which includes excavation for 2 levels of parking, alterations and addition to existing building and construction of new additional structure facing Telghet Birkirkara.”

While the planning application seems to keep the front façade intact, it does propose that four stepped floors be constructed over the existing structure, making a total of seven storeys (including ground floor).

The total site area, as listed on the planning application form, is 1,226 sq.m. Two below ground level floors will have 36 parking spaces.

The new building at the back of the property is also going to rise to seven levels (only three or four of which will be visible from the back road given the height difference between the road on the front of the building and the one at the back). The centre of the property, between the two buildings will remain a garden according to the plans.

An application to construct four apartments and two penthouses at the back of the property was approved back in 2015, on the Telghet Birkirkara side of the property; however, it seems that this application will override that.