In September 2018 the Mellieħa Local Council submitted its objections to the development application PA/5909/17 in order to build a hotel of 47 rooms as part from a building on the land bordering Triq l’Izbark tal Franzisi, Triq Ta Fuq il Migduma, Triq il-Fortizza and Triq Ħalq i-Câwl.
In its objections the Council had mentioned the impact that this would have on a residential area, while the Local Plan did not allow building of hotels in that area. That day the Planning Authority did not agree with the objections put forward by the Council, and approved the permit.
In March 2019 the same Council submitted an appeal from this decision before the Tribunal of the Environment and Planning Review. The Tribunal in its decision agreed that the re-application go before the Planning Authority to reconsider that the project has a hotel of 30 rooms instead of 47. The Council did not even agree to this decision and filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal.
In these proceedings, the Council was assisted by Architect Carmel Cacopardo and Lawyer Claire Bonello. The Court of Appeal chaired by Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti, yesterday welcomed the appeal brought by the Council against the building permit of hotel, since according to the Plan Local approved by Parliament in 2006, the area concerned does not allow the introduction of a hotel.
Although the Council appreciates the investment in the locality, it believes that this should be done strictly according to the established policies and guidelines. Accordingly, the council welcomes with satisfaction this decision, because what the council believed in five years ago was accepted and turned out to be correct The Council will be ensuring that the decision of the Court of Appeal is followed.
Source:The Mellieħa Local Council
