Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543191
A planning application (PA/03362/25) has been sub- mitted to build an eight-storey home for the elderly instead of a residential villa and adjacent field. The site is at the edge of Triq il-Farinal in Mosta and the pro- ject is being proposed by Frank Spiteri's Eldercare Ltd. It would see the demolition of the ex- isting residence and adjacent fields, covering 2,060sq.m, to construct an elderly care facility with eight floors above ground and three basement levels, reaching 25 metres above the highest street level under Mal- ta's height adjustment policy for elderly homes. The site which was ODZ be- fore 2006 is located within the Is-Sgħajtar rationalisation ar- ea, approved under the Partial Local Plan Review of January 2019. The plan designates the area primarily for residential use, with building heights gen- erally limited to three floors plus a semi-basement and a 6m landscaped buffer separating housing from the nearby Mosta Technopark. The local policy allows small- scale commercial or commu- nity facilities only if they are compatible with the residential character of the area. The plan emphasises comprehensive de- velopment, ensuring roads, in- frastructure, and public open spaces are planned cohesively rather than through piecemeal applications. A number of residents liv- ing adjacent to the proposed site have formally objected to the application. They cite the height, bulk, and massing of the building as disproportionate to the surrounding low- and mid- rise neighbourhood. Concerns include loss of privacy, reduced daylight and sunlight, overshad- owing of rooftop solar panels, and additional traffic and park- ing pressures on narrow local streets. Residents argue the develop- ment constitutes overdevel- opment and conflicts with the intended character and sustain- ability objectives of the rational- isation plan. The Planning Au- thority is currently reviewing the application and is still receiving feedback from the public. JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt 6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 11 FEBRUARY 2026 NEWS Momentum seeks clarity on Bormla waterfront docking facilities MOMENTUM has written to Transport Malta and the Amer- ican University of Malta seek- ing clarity on the management, operation, and authorisation of marina and berthing facilities along the Bormla waterfront. Their key concern is whether boat owners have paid fees for berthing spaces along the wa- terfront. The party also wants answers as to who has received the money. The issue arose after the Lands Authority issued a notice asking boat owners along the Dock 1 quay to remove their boats. The land had been trans- ferred to AUM, which however, was contractually bound not to operate a marina or berthing spaces. Government later intervened to stop the boat evictions but the issue remains pending amid serious concerns over who au- thorised the boats to berth and who pocketed the fees. "While we acknowledge that AUM operates as a legitimate commercial entity, the public land and surrounding water- front were transferred by the State, and Malta's public do- main laws guarantee public access to the foreshore. For this reason, transparency and accountability are critical," the party said. "Momentum stresses that clarifying these matters will not only serve the public inter- est but also ensure that AUM's name is not unfairly associated with any alleged irregularities." In its letter to Transport Mal- ta, Momentum has requested detailed information including the legal owner and operator of the marina and berthing facili- ties in front of AUM, the num- ber of berthing spaces officially authorised by the authority in this area, and the dates of issue and duration of licences or per- mits for these spaces. The party has also requested information on any inspec- tions, enforcement notices, or actions taken by Transport Malta regarding unauthorised moorings, as well as current plans or applications for the regularisation, expansion, or modification of berthing facil- ities along the Bormla water- front. Momentum has separately sought clarification from AUM regarding its role in the man- agement or operation of the berthing facilities. Questions include whether the universi- ty owns, leases, manages, op- erates, or otherwise exercises control over marina or berthing facilities, including the sea and airspace adjacent to its campus. Momentum has also asked about the number of berthing spaces currently in use and whether these are authorised by Transport Malta; any payments received by AUM for berthing, records of correspondence with Transport Malta, knowledge of any unauthorised moorings, and actions taken to address them. Momentum awaits official responses from both Trans- port Malta and AUM and has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public access and transparency along the Bormla waterfront. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Eight-storey elderly home proposed in Mosta A number of residents object to elderly home over height, scale, and impact on the area