Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547510
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 NOVEMBER 2026 Prime Minister, please speak up to stop the development of a five- to six-storey hotel in the heart of Naxxar Dear Dr Abela, I am sure you recall that in the 2022 Labour party manifesto you had a proposal for increasing the buffer zone of the Urban Conservation Area (UCA) and the introduction of a skyline policy. That proposal would have changed the way our UCA's have become ghettos surrounded by high apartments and unsightly buildings. That proposal never saw the light of day for reasons you only know. Our Maltese and Gozitan villages and town are under assault and people are angry with you and sad that your administration has allowed the Planning Authority to interpret policies as they wish. Planning Authority has case officers and planning commissions that interpret policies in the wrong way. The policies do not favour development but still Victor Chetcuti has in recent years made it his mission to buy and develop Naxxar and the areas that happen to fall in the rationalisation zones of 2006. His development spree has taken place at the expense of Naxxar's beauty and cultural heritage. Today's proposal is a threat to the well-being of hundreds of residents who chose to live in the UCA because they embrace tradition, their village, history, culture and a way of life. They have invested their life savings, and they have lived here for years. Victor Chetcuti is not alone, all over Malta and Gozo, residents and communities are being treated like second class citizens, and you look the other way. Business is one thing, but greed and the wrong interpretation of policies another. Well-being, culture and environment are convenient buzz words. Victor Chetcuti is proposing a hotel/guest house/boutique hotel of 27 rooms over five floors towering over the UCA together with a large pool, a breakfast area, gym, lounge and roof garden. The proposed 27-room hotel which will house over 40 residents apart from staff exceeds planning rules on building depth, while its room capacity was reduced following an MTA reminder about guest-house limits. But new guest houses are according to new MTA rules 20 rooms not 27 rooms. The proposed development does not, comply with the policy, as the proposed additions at both basement and upper-floor levels extend are beyond the 30m depth limitation and yet the case officer suggests that the development should be accepted. The five to six storeys will dominate the streetscape and the skyline and tower over homes that are part of the Naxxar UCA. There is no consideration for increased traffic from newcomers, service providers, parking, stress on the sewage system, which is a very big problem, flooding which is a big problem in this area and the visual impact of this monstrous development. Not to mention that we have had serious electricity and water provision in Naxxar. The Victor Chetcuti application should be refused. This is a country where rule of law applies and so one does not expect the Prime Minister to intervene and block an application. But the Prime Minister can pronounce himself and urge the Planning Authority to respect the policies and give more of an ear to residents and communities. He can call on the Planning Authority to change its policy of interpreting and to show some compassion. There is an uncanny and shocking bias to those who have tonnes of money to throw away at the expense of society. It appears there are two citizens. The ones with bulging pockets and the ones who have worked all their life in the hope that they can live a serene and normal life in their homes. We want Naxxar to be saved from greed and wrong decisions. It is about well-being and respect. We urge you to listen and not to ignore the communities and residents. Naxxar residents From the PL 2022 Electoral Manifesto THIS IS A PAID ADVERT