Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife Lydia Abela have applied to demolish and rebuild a villa in Zejtun which they purchased in 2017.

The plans, drawn up by architect Ray Demicoli, envision the current villa to be replaced by another villa serviced by a basement garage and having a swimming pool and extensive landscaping on its grounds.

The Abelas bought the villa in July 2017, just days after the Planning Authority sanctioned multiple illegalities on the site, at a price of €600,000.

The case was brought to the fore prior to March’s general election, as the illegalities were approved at time that Abela was the chief lawyer to the Planning Authority – but the Prime Minister denied exercising any influence over the authorities and said that the PA’s legal office was not involved in the matter.

The property, called ‘Cinja’, is located on Triq Xrobb l-Ghagin on the outskirts of Zejtun.

The new proposal envisions the villa on a 237 square metre footprint, which is identical to the built footprint of the buildings – separated between the villa and a couple of other rooms – which currently stand.

A pool surrounded by a grass area will also be constructed, while an existing, smaller pool, a duck pond and the rooms separate from the existing villa will be replaced by landscaped areas characterised by trees and greenery.

The application is still in its early stages, meaning that the respective authorities are yet to file their views on it and that the Planning Authority’s case officer is yet to provide a recommendation on whether they project should be granted or not.