Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542585
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 14 JANUARY 2026 NEWS Disused agricultural land next to Burmarrad petrol station earmarked for five-storey development A mixed-use development com- prising of a showroom, gym, spa, restaurant and rooftop padel court is being proposed on a plot of disused agricultural land next to the Burmarrad petrol station. The land lies outside the devel- opment zone but was designat- ed as an Area of Containment in the local plan, at a time when development was limited to sin- gle-floor showrooms and vehicle repair facilities. However, planning rules along Burmarrad Road approved in 2018 have allowed a wider range of commercial development, now permitted to reach up to 17.5 metres. Zoning was also updated to include offices, retail shops, and catering establish- ments. As proposed, the development will consist of four basement floors providing 70 parking spac- es, and four overlying floors— one of which will be recessed— including a showroom, common areas, a restaurant, a gym, a spa, and a roof top padel court. The development which will respect the 17.5 height limit, is being proposed by developer Keith Grima, who declared own- ership of the site. According to submitted plans, the development will require the creation of a new junction in front of the site. The plot currently includes six protected pine trees and an almond tree. The applicant has declared that the development will involve the removal of these trees. The site was previously owned by Emmanuel Fenech's Easysell group and had been earmarked for various projects that were never approved. In 2016, Easysell applied to construct a petrol station on the same site, but the plans were later aban- doned after the Planning Au- thority approved a petrol station on a nearby plot owned by Con- struction and Turnkey Ltd. Subsequently, the site was ear- marked first for a supermarket and later for a drive-thru restau- rant with three overlying floors of offices. Both applications sub- mitted by Fenech were eventual- ly withdrawn. JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt The land lies outside the development zone next to the Burmarrad petrol station LUXOL St. Andrews Futsal handed University of Malta Futsal their first defeat of the season with a 5-3 win in the standout match of the FMA Enemed Futsal League, ending the champions' unbeaten run. Elsewhere, GZR Birzebbuga St. Peter's Futsal thrashed Futsal Selection U17 9-2, Zejtun Corinthians Futsal WA swept aside Santa Venera Lightnings Futsal 12-2, and Futsal Selection U19 claimed a 5-1 victory over Sliema Futsal Fort Fitness. University of Malta remain top with 18 points from seven games, followed by Luxol St. Andrews on 15 points from five matches. GZR Birzebbuga St. Peter's and Marsaskala Futsal Legends are also on 15 points, Zejtun Corinthians have 12, while Futsal Selection U19 move up to six points. Leaders suffer first defeat as FMA Enemed Futsal League heats up