Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541063
12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS Refusal recommended for demolition of Golden Harvest site in Gzira THE Planning Authority's case officer has recommended the refusal of a permit renewal to demolish the former Golden Harvest factory in Gżira. It is part of a wider high-rise re- development that had already been withdrawn. The application filed by Kar- kanja Developments Ltd, sought to renew a 2018 permit allowing the demolition of the old facto- ry and adjoining dwellings and the construction of a boundary wall around a 2,700-square-me- tre site bounded by Misraħ Tu- ru Colombo, Triq Nazju Ellul, Triq Manoel De Vilhena, Triq Luqa Briffa and Triq Sir Wil- liam Reid. But the case officer said the re- newal was not acceptable since it refers to a second application for a mixed-use development that was withdrawn in 2018. The Directorate concluded that without an active permit for the overall redevelopment, the demolition phase could not stand on its own. The report also notes that the applicant failed to provide the required information within the period set by planning leg- islation, rendering the proposal non-compliant. The Environment and Re- sources Authority (ERA) said the demolition could not be assessed separately from the entire redevelopment and re- quested a comprehensive phas- ing masterplan, waste gen- eration estimates and traffic projections. ERA stressed that the demolition and construc- tion phases must be evaluated holistically to gauge their full environmental impact. The Superintendence of Cul- tural Heritage called for the re- tention and integration of the existing façade on Triq Luqa Briffa and Triq William Reid, noting its early-20th-century architectural value. Objections were also sub- mitted by Moviment Graffit- ti, warning that the proposed high-rise scheme would be "totally uncharacteristic" of the residential neighbourhood, worsen congestion and parking pressures, and endanger Second World War air-raid shelters be- neath the site. The case officer's report, en- dorsed by the Planning Direc- torate, concludes that the pro- posal should be refused. The Planning Board is expected to take a final decision on 11 No- vember 2025. JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt