Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1519535
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 APRIL 2024 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Portelli accepts to pay €41,000 imposed by PA for ODZ permit Manfred Galdes appointed new HSBC Bank Malta Chairman The site close to the Tal-Hilda caves A company partly owned by Jo- seph Portelli has withdrawn a re- quest to waive a planning gain fee of €41,075 imposed by the Plan- ning Authority. The fee was a condition for the granting of a permit on six villas in an outside development zone in Mellieħa. The planning gain, charged to CF Developers will go towards the funding of environmental projects in Mellieħa. Portelli, owner of the Mercury high-rise in Paceville, is a part-owner of CF Developers. In March, MaltaToday had re- vealed that the company had re- quested a 'reconsideration' of this condition. The one-time payment was in- cluded as a permit condition in February when the Planning Au- thority approved six ODZ villas close to the Tal-Ħilda caves set between Xemxija and Manikata, overlooking the Pwales valley. The six villas were approved instead of a derelict tourist com- plex built in the 1970s before planning policies protecting the areas outside development were even introduced. The planning gain was recom- mended by the PA's development and management directorate in view of the ODZ location where the development was approved, calculated at the standard €25 per square metre, for the total gross floor area of 1,643sq.m. Project architect Maria Schem- bri Grima had formally asked the PA to "reconsider" the planning gain, arguing that the villas are replacing an already committed and approved development, that is also smaller in size. The present structures occupy a total floor area of 1,670sq.m, while the proposed develop- ment, including the proposed terraces and swimming pools, will cover an approximate area of 1,643sq.m. Residents opposing the project had warned of urban sprawl in the ecologically sensitive area, especially when considering that the tourist complex was approved before planning policies protect- ing the area came into force. DR Manfred Galdes has been appointed as the new Chair- man of HSBC Bank Malta, succeeding John Bonello who announced his decision to re- tire, after 11 years of service, during the AGM held in April. The retirement of John Bonello from Chairman and Director of the Bank and the appointment of Manfred Gal- des as Chairman are with ef- fect from 23 April 2024. Geoffrey Fichte, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, said: "I would like to pay tribute to our Chairman, John Bonel- lo, after 11 years of service, 5 years of which as Chairman. He has chaired our bank with unwavering commitment, dedication and integrity. For this we are grateful, and we wish him and his family well for the future. I am delight- ed to congratulate Manfred Galdes on his appointment, as the next Chairman of HSBC Bank Malta. Manfred has been a Non-Executive Director of the bank for nearly three years and already knows our busi- ness very well. The high regard with which he is held locally and across the HSBC Group makes him ideally placed to lead HSBC Bank Malta's board for the coming years." John Bonello said: "It has been an honour for me to serve on a board of a subsidiary of a great international bank that is HSBC. I am grateful for the ongoing support I have re- ceived from my colleagues on the board, the executives and bank employees in whichever role. I have met with only pro- fessionalism and dedication in a very respectful working envi- ronment. I know that Manfred Galdes will lead the board of the bank with enthusiasm and integrity. I wish him and this bank every success. I will look back at this chapter with fond memories." Manfred Galdes said: "I am deeply honoured by the trust that has been placed in me to lead the board of HSBC Bank Malta. While expressing my sincere gratitude to John Bonello who has been a tru- ly inspirational figure for this bank and its people, I look for- ward to working with my fel- low directors and the bank's executive team to continue to improve the bank's offering to better serve our customers." John Bonello (left), outgoing HSBC Bank Malta Chairman and Dr Manfred Galdes new Chairman for HSBC Malta