Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544495
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 APRIL 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 In replies to questions, the Tourism Min- istry confirmed that under the forthcoming legal notice, the MTA will not be in a posi- tion to issue a Tourism Policy Compliance Certificate (TPCC) if a proposed develop- ment goes beyond the height limits applica- ble to its location. Since the TPCC is a pre- requisite for such projects, this effectively blocks developers from benefiting from the additional floors previously allowed under the 2014 Hotel Height Policy. The ministry explained that the hotel policy had originally been introduced "to incentivise investment in tourism accom- modation at a time when such direction was required to meet rising demand from a growing tourism industry." However, the mechanism still relied on prior approval from the MTA through the TPCC process. However, under new regulations an- nounced last week, that same process will now act as a control. The MTA "would not be able to issue a TPCC if a proposal ex- ceeds the height limitation of the location in question", a spokesperson for the minis- try said. The latest reforms form part of a wider package of measures targeting the tourism accommodation sector, aimed at aligning planning outcomes with a revised national tourism strategy. While the legal notice has yet to be pub- lished in full, government has indicated that the changes will introduce tighter controls on new hotel developments and extensions, reinforcing adherence to local plan param- eters and limiting the scope for exceptions. The Tourism Ministry spokesperson said that "tourism stakeholders are now in agreement that the country has secured sufficient bed stock to meet current and immediate future demand," as Malta shifts its focus towards "long-term resilience, sus- tainability, and higher-value visitor experi- ences." The 2014 height policy The 2014 policy, introduced by the Plan- ning Authority, had allowed hotels rated three-star or higher to apply for permits to build up to two additional floors beyond local plan limitations, with larger sites in some cases exceeding this threshold. While it excluded sensitive areas such as Outside Development Zones, Urban Con- servation Areas and scheduled sites, the policy remained controversial due to its impact on skylines and urban character. It also contributed to a number of pencil de- velopments jutting out of the surrounding skyline flanked by blank party walls. The Hotel Height Policy itself falls under the jurisdiction of the Planning Authori- ty, and any formal reform would require a lengthier process involving public consulta- tion. MaltaToday is informed that the Plan- ning Authority has not yet been asked to initiate changes to the policy to reflect the new government direction. By instead directing the MTA to withhold the necessary compliance certificates for projects exceeding height limits, govern- ment is effectively fast-tracking implemen- tation without waiting for the formal revi- sion of planning policy. Over the past months MaltaToday has noticed a surge in applications for hotel de- velopments seeking extra floors by utilising the planning policy mechanism. The 2014 Hotel Height Policy allowed hotels to add an additional two storeys above local height limitations in a bid to increase beds and encourage development (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) Tourism authority to withhold compliance for projects in breach of height limits PN supports Valletta FC's football facility plans in Pembroke THE Nationalist Party has af- firmed its support for the pro- posed transfer of public land in Pembroke to Valletta FC for the development of a football campus. The decision comes as Pem- broke residents mount oppo- sition to the project through a par-liamentary petition that has already garnered over 1,600 signatures. Opposition leader Alex Borg said the party would back the motion when it reaches par- lia-ment. "The Nationalist Par- ty welcomes Valletta FC's Foot- ball Campus proposal. This is an investment not only in one club, but in young people, sport and the wider community, and for that reason it has our full support," Borg said. "I can con- firm that, once this process reaches its parliamentary stage, we will be supporting it." The government announced the project in February, when Prime Minister Robert Abela said a motion would be tabled in parliament to grant a tract of land in Pembroke to Valletta FC. The site, currently desig- nated in the local plan for of- fice development and private residenc-es, is estimated to be worth between €75 million and €100 million. Draft designs include a full-size pitch, a five- a-side pitch, facilities for the club's administration and acad- emy, and a futsal facility, the first of its kind in Malta. Part of the site would also go to Swieqi United. Valletta FC president Claudio Grech, a former PN MP, wel- comed the Opposition's stand. "The Valletta FC Football Campus will shape into a cen- tre of excellence, and it is in the na-tional interest that it is backed across the board," he said. "Today, Valletta FC moves one step closer to se- curing, for the first time in its history, a home it can truly call its own." JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt The Nationalist Party has affirmed its support for the proposed transfer of public land in Pembroke to Valletta FC for the development of a football campus (Photo: Valletta Football Club)