Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1539534
4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 17 SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The Superintendence of Cultur- al Heritage had already objected to the hotel's reconstruction, call- ing instead for the demolition of the ruins and rehabilitation of the ridge to restore the natural land- scape. The outline application, filed by Mizzi Estates Ltd and architect Edwin Mintoff, proposed demol- ishing the abandoned hotel and rebuilding it with the same foot- print, gross floor area, number of rooms and external volume as the original structure approved in the 1980s, before the site was granted Natura 2000 status. Furthermore, environmental groups including Birdlife Malta, have objected to the rebuilding of the hotel ruins. In its objection Birdlife Malta noted that what was proposed is in close proximity of the Fores- ta 2000 site, a long-term project commenced in 2003, between BirdLife Malta along with Din l-Art Helwa and the government, with the aim of establishing a Mediterranean forest that would become a wildlife refuge. More- over, Birdlife warned that should the site be re-developed into a ho- tel, the area will "lose its remote- ness, peace and tranquillity and therefore its recreational value." The owners argued the project would replace the long-derelict ruins with a modernised hotel while retaining the parameters of the original permit. But the case officer's report stressed that without key sub- missions, the Authority could not properly evaluate the principle of development. Among the miss- ing documentation were a traf- fic scoping statement, a tourism compliance certificate from the Malta Tourism Authority, and conclusions from the Environ- ment and Resources Authority (ERA) on whether an Environ- mental Impact Assessment would be required. "The proposal lacks the nec- essary information to enable complete assessment in terms of transport, land use and envi- ronmental impacts, which are an integral part in determining the principle being assessed," the re- port concluded. The Mellieħa local council, however, is not satisfied with the report, insisting that the pro- ject should be rejected because it breaches policies protecting Nat- ura 2000 sites and historical land- marks such as the Red Tower. In a representation written by architect Carmel Cacopardo, the council argued that the develop- ment should be turned down on the basis of specific policies in the Strategic Plan for the Envi- ronment and Development pro- tecting landscapes and national heritage. MaltaToday understands that such an approach, would make it more difficult for the owners to resurrect the proposal in another form than if it were rejected solely on procedural grounds. The hotel, designed by Richard England in the late 1970s, was built long before the site was des- ignated as a Natura 2000 site and when Malta did not even have a Planning Authority. Moreover, due to structural is- sues emerging at the early stages of the development the 31-apart- ment complex never opened to guests. It has since deteriorated into ruins, covered in graffiti and surrounded by vegetation, be- coming an odd attraction for visi- tors intrigued by modernist ruins. The case officer's report itself de- scribes the ruins as "a destination for alternative tourists that seek modernist constructions taken over by nature." Mizzi Estates, part of the Mizzi Organisation, has been seeking to redevelop the site for decades, with various plans lodged since the 1990s. Past proposals ranged from a spa and rehabilitation cen- tre to a masterplan for 23 villas. The company has also faced en- forcement action for leaving the site in a derelict state, with the Planning Authority deeming the ruins "causing injury to amenity." An appeal against the enforce- ment order remains pending. The North West Local Plan only permits redevelopment of tour- ist facilities in rural areas in "very exceptional cases," requiring very high design quality and an im- provement to the rural or coastal landscape. Intensification of use or an increase in beds is normally resisted. In this latest case, however, the refusal was not based on planning policy compliance but on the ap- plicant's failure to provide essen- tial studies within the statutory timeframes. The case officer not- ed that despite repeated requests and meetings, the applicant did not submit the required docu- mentation, leaving the Authority with no option but to recommend refusal. The Planning Commission will now decide whether to uphold the refusal recommended by the case officer or overturn it. A final de- cision is now scheduled for Friday 26 September. Mellieha council calls on PA to reject project on the basis of policies protecting Natura 2000 sites