Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545999
12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 29 JULY 2026 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Qormi garden hotel project set for refusal over planning breaches A proposal to convert an histor- ic Qormi palazzo and its garden into a boutique hotel is set to be refused after the case officer pre- pared reasons for refusal following instructions issued by the Plan- ning Commission. The hotel project involves the proposed development of 17 pools and 21 hotel rooms in the histori- cal Qormi garden and was strong- ly objected to by locality mayor Josef Masini Vento Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Moviment Graffitti. The proposal was originally recommended for approval by the Authority's Development Management Directorate be- fore a meeting held earlier this month during which the Com- mission chairman Elizabeth Ellul expressed strong reservations on the development. The reasons, which have been referred back to the Commission for considera- tion, focus primarily on breaches of planning policies intended to protect gardens and open spaces within Urban Conservation Areas. The case officer states that the proposed development infringes policy G21 of the Development Control Design Policy, Guidance and Standards 2015, which rec- ognises that gardens and back- yards are valuable amenity spaces and states that their development should be resisted, particularly within Urban Conservation Areas. According to the reason for re- fusal, the proposed development would result in the loss of such open space, contrary to the policy objective of safeguarding internal gardens that contribute to the quality of historic urban environ- ments. The case officer also cites a breach of policy P27, which estab- lishes a 30-metre depth limitation for development. The proposed project extends beyond this limit, and the case officer concludes that it is therefore contrary to the Stra- tegic Plan for Environment and Development objective of protect- ing and enhancing the character and amenity of urban areas. A third reason for refusal states that the proposal is incompatible with the urban design and envi- ronmental characteristics of the Qormi Urban Conservation Ar- ea, as it would fail to maintain the visual integrity of the area. The reasons were drafted after the Planning Commission had re- quested revised plans limiting the project to the rehabilitation and reuse of the existing palazzo, while removing the proposed North, West and East wings as well as all pools. However, no revised drawings were submitted by the applicant taking on board the Commission's direction to restrict the boutique accommodation to the restora- tion of the palazzo. The Planning Authority's Post Recommendation Team subse- quently prepared reasons for re- fusal, noting that no submissions had been made by the applicant. The reasons for refusal represent a change from the original assess- ment by the case officer, who had recommended approval of the application. In that assessment, the officer had concluded that the proposed change of use, ad- ditional volumes and alterations were acceptable and in line with the Central Malta Local Plan, the Development Control Design Pol- icy 2015 and the objectives of the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development. The case officer had also argued that the restoration, rehabilitation and reuse of the palazzo would contribute positively to the con- servation and sustainable reuse of a historic building within the Ur- ban Conservation Area. The application by Pecunia Eu- ropean Properties Ltd proposed the restoration of an 18th-century palazzo in Triq il-Kbira, Qormi, together with boutique accom- modation and extensive interven- tions within its private garden. The Planning Commission is ex- pected to take a final decision on the application on Thursday 30 July. Loggerhead turtle spotted on Balluta Bay as climate pressures drive species to Malta's busy beaches A loggerhead turtle was spotted at Balluta Bay, St Julian's, earlier this week. In a social media post, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) reminded the public to keep a safe distance when encountering sea turtles on Malta's beaches, stressing that minimising noise can help avoid disturbing them. The authority cautioned that failing to follow these guide- lines may cause the turtle to re- treat back to sea without laying its eggs. ERA thanked those who re- ported the sighting, as well as the member of the public who submitted the video featured. This comes after a surprising trend emerged amongst these sea turtles, where they are in- creasingly choosing to lay their eggs on beaches which are heavily used by humans. According to studies using Embryonic Morphometrics To Diagnose Developmental Stress And Target Sustainable Management Of Sea Turtle Nesting In Malta, the primary driver behind this "secondary colonisation" of the central and western Mediterranean is cli- mate change. Rising sea surface temper- atures in traditional nesting grounds are forcing loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) to seek cooler nesting sites further north and west. Researchers say this is contributing to a phenomenon known as "coast- al squeeze" in the Maltese is- lands. With sandy beaches making up just 2.4% of Malta's coast- line, turtles have little option but to nest in high-traffic areas shared with tourists, cafes, and boats. While climate-driven factors are pushing turtles into these unusual habitats, the "anthro- pogenic silence" of the COV- ID-19 lockdowns offered an- ecdotal evidence of loggerhead turtles' sensitivity to human activity. Reduced disturbance coincided with more visible nesting success, highlighting artificial noise and light as key deterrents that turtles are now increasingly forced to navigate. The ERA urged those who do encounter such turtle activity, to report to them on 2292 3500, or the Nature Trust Wildlife Rescue Team on 9999 9505. JADE BEZZINA jbezzina@mediatoday.com.mt A video submitted by a member of the public shows a loggerhead turtle on Balluta Bay, St Julians