The Planning Authority has approved a proposal to redevelop the Ramla Bay resort in Mellieħa.

The application filed by Holden Development Company Limited, proposes to demolish most of the existing hotel, to excavate the site, and construct a new hotel in its place. The site of the resort is located outside the limits for development (ODZ), along the northern shore of the Marfa Peninsula within the limits of Mellieħa. Areas of Ecological Importance in the area include ir-Ramla tal-Bir and Ramlet il-Qortin.  The site is also within the area of influence of some Natura 2000 sites.

The proposed new hotel will have 396 rooms, a gym, a diving centre and water sports facilities, retail outlets, bars, restaurants, and ancillary facilities including an indoor and an outdoor pool, multipurpose halls and a parking area. The building will in total have eight levels.

Board chairman Emmanuel Camilleri said that the project complements the first phase of the proposal that had been approved.

The only board member who voted against the development was NGO representative Romano Cassar, who said that the hotel had expanded through several applications over the years, arguing that what started as a small hotel in a sensitive area has now grown.