PA approves plan for 11-storey hotel in Gżira residential area

The Planning Authority has approved plans for the construction of an 11-storey hotel by construction magnate Michael Stivala in Gżira after brushing aside an affidavit and a court judgment showing that he is not the sole owner of the entire site.

The permit was issued following a two-hour hearing in which NGOs and residents expressed their disdain that the site is in a residential area and not a tourist zone.

All three members of the Planning Commissioner, chaired by Mireille Fsadni with Lorinda Vella and Anthony Camilleri as members, voted in favour of the project which the case officer had recommended for approval, despite over 150 objections by residents.

The development (PA 5962/21) proposed by the Malta Developers' Association president is on a site in Triq Moroni and Triq Parisio that directly abuts the gardens of the scheduled Villa Bonici and is characterised by residential buildings.

A garden that once surrounded a century-old farmhouse on the site was cleared and the area was illegally used as a car park for a number of years, before being sanctioned by the Planning Authority in June.

The developer wants to demolish the farmhouse, excavate the plot for three floors of...