Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1526919
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Corinthia Attard plans two-storey expansion Hotel group says future development will respect zoning laws and enhance visual appearance THE Corinthia Palace Hotel Company is seeking permits for 40 new hotel rooms on two set- back floors above the existing four storey hotel in Attard. The group opted to first apply for an outline application setting the parameters and massing of fu- ture development before present- ing a full development application. Although the actual design and architectural drawings are yet to be drawn up, company CEO Si- mon Naudi promised that "any future development, will be made in full compliance to zoning laws and sensitivities" and "in a manner that complements and enhances the visual appearance of the prop- erty". The hotel property is designat- ed as a 'tourist establishment site' in an ad-hoc policy limited to the site of the hotel in local plans ap- proved in 2006, which allows the extension of the hotel provided several conditions are met. One of the conditions is that the scale and quality of design of the whole project is consistent with the character of the area and of the existing building, and that the proposed extension does not exceed the height of the existing hotel. But the Planning Authority also introduced a new policy in 2014 allowing hotels to rise two storeys above local plan levels. In fact, the Malta Tourism Authority has already deemed the hotel to be eligible for the application of the policy. Currently the Corinthia Palace offers just 130 rooms, which ac- cording to Naudi places it among the smaller operations at the top end of the five-star market in Mal- ta. "Considering that rooms are the main driver for a hotel's reve- nue, it is logical that we would ex- plore possibilities to increase the number of rooms within the plan- ning and regulatory frameworks afforded to us," Naudi said. If approved the application will increase the hotel's gross floor ar- ea from the current 10,267sq.m to 16,484sq.m. The development is limited to the already built hotel area and will not impact on the gardens or the detached villa ar- eas. Characterised by its extensive gardens close to San Anton gar- dens, the charming hotel was in- augurated in 1968 by the Duke of Edinburgh. The hotel, which orig- inally started out as a restaurant in 1962, is still described by the com- pany as its "spiritual home". According to a Cabinet memo issued in July 1969, the Pisanis were granted £173,333 for the de- velopment of the hotel, as well as income tax relief for 10 years and exemption from customs duty on construction material used in building the hotel. BirdLife calls for accountability for trying to fool EU on finch trapping derogation FOLLOWING the European Court of Justice's (ECJ) ruling on Malta's bird trapping, BirdLife Malta has called for accountabil- ity for Malta's constant "farcical ploys to try and fool" the EU. The NGO has called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to hold those responsible accountable, particularly Gozo minister Clint Camilleri, who oversaw the der- ogation. "Once again, we have been vin- dicated by the European Court of Justice," BirdLife Malta stated in an open letter to the Prime Min- ister. "The finch trapping dero- gation was nothing more than an ill-conceived smokescreen, bear- ing no scientific or conservation value." The ECJ had ruled on Thursday that Malta's Finches Project did not establish a genuine research purpose and its bird trapping derogation was therefore unjus- tified. BirdLife Malta's criticism fell on Clint Camilleri, who they ar- gue not only misled the Europe- an Commission but also wasted public funds in the process. BirdLife Malta concluded by urging Prime Minister Abela to take decisive action and ensure that Malta upholds its obligations to the EU Birds Directive and re- spects the rule of law.