Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541426
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS Ryan Callus will not contest coming general election, will join PN campaign team OPPOSITION MP Ryan Callus will not be contesting the com- ing general election, and instead will be joining the Nationalist Party campaign team. Confirming his new role with MaltaToday, Callus said the specifics of his new role would be announced at a later stage. In a post on Facebook, Callus thanked those who voted for him over the past three legis- latures. "I have always placed poli- tics before my profession as an engineer, before my hobbies, and at times — unfortunately — even before my family. Now the time has come to give them more space. This does not mean I am saying farewell — because my values and passion for my country remain," he said, hinting at his new role. "I will continue to serve the Na- tionalist Party and work closely with Alex Borg, in whom I be- lieve wholeheartedly and who is giving new hope to the Mal- tese and the Gozitans." In 2013, Callus was elected on the Sixth District when he got 1,595 first-count votes, and was eventually elected on the 11th count with 3,916 votes. In 2017, he received 4,570 first- count votes and was elected on the Sixth District. In 2022, he was elected on both the Sixth and Seventh districts. "Over these years I have had the honour of serving as spokesperson for several port- folios: planning, lands, the en- vironment, sport, infrastruc- ture, energy, and now social dialogue and trade promotion. One of the greatest moments of satisfaction for me was when I published Malta's 30-year En- ergy Strategy — a piece of work I firmly believed in. A special thank you to those profession- als, experts and friends who lent me your wisdom and your time voluntarily, allowing me to carry out all the portfolios entrusted to me," Callus said on Facebook. He concluded by thanking volunteers and helpers who helped him get elected. "The Nationalist Party will continue its work because the people are calling on it. And I will continue working as well," he concluded. Callus is an engineer by pro- fession. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Opposition MP Ryan Callus CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The proposal made by the owner Peter Borg, does not in- volve the take up of agricultural land. However, the Environ- ment and Resources Authority has consistently opposed the proposal since its inception in 2016 arguing its scale and massing are incompatible with the rural surroundings adjacent to a Natura 2000 site. Following revisions to plans in 2021 ERA noted the improve- ments made to the design but insisted that the scale and massing of the proposed devel- opment were still substantial and in conflict with the sen- sitive site context. In its final communication in 2022, ERA said it "cannot favourably rec- ommend the approval of the development" due to the diffi- culty of producing a compatible proposal within such a sensitive area. The Superintendence of Cul- tural Heritage and the Design Advisory Committee had al- so expressed concern over the project. The site lies adjacent to a Nat- ura 2000, designated as both a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). But the case officer insisted that the height and footprint of the proposed building does not exceed that approved in an outline permit granted in 2011, which expired in 2016. The controversial permit en- visaged the demolition of the existing building and the erec- tion of a "multi-ownership complex" with 58 rooms. Curiously, a site selection ex- ercise to identify a suitable al- ternative location for the old people's home was only carried out after submission of the ap- plication. The study simply considered two alternative locations, only to demonstrate that these were unsuitable. Alternatives includ- ed palazzos in Rabat, Mdina, and Triq ir-Repubblika, which were rejected due to traffic, visual, and operational con- straints. Transportation assessments by the Development Manage- ment Transportation Consulta- tions Unit confirmed adequate access for vehicles in Buskett, including emergency and ser- vice vehicles, with a 4.3m-wide entry and a proposed lay-by within the site curtilage. Despite ERA's repeated objec- tions, the case officer concludes that the proposal is acceptable. The proposal has been en- dorsed by the Old People's Standards Authority. The Planning Authority is ex- pected to take a decision on the application on 27 November. Old people's home to replace vacant Buskett hotel The existing hotel in Buskett (left) and a photomontage of the proposed old people's home