FAA says PA commission should step down after Sliema hotel permit revoked

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) on Friday called for the resignation of members of the Planning Authority (PA) Commission after a permit for two 14-storey hotels in a narrow Sliema alley was overturned on appeal.

On Thursday, the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) ruled in favour of numerous individual objectors, the Sliema local council, FAA and Din l-Art Ħelwa, revoking the development permit.

The permit, application PA/3957/21, had been granted in June 2024 despite hotels not typically being allowed in residential areas. The proposed development involved two 14-storey hotels in a lane measuring approximately 1.6 metres in width, including indoor pools, gyms, spas and rooftop outdoor pools.

FAA stated that Commission members Stephania Baldacchino, architect Anthony Camilleri and architect Mireille Fsadni failed in their duty to ensure transparent and fair planning decisions. The NGO argued that their approval of the project, despite strong objections and internal recommendations for refusal, amounted to a serious breach of responsibility and warranted their resignation.

The Planning Authority had issued the permit contrary to the case officer’s recommendation for refusal and despite objections from Transport Malta, the Design Advisory Committee and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. In its ruling, the Tribunal found that the Commission had failed to properly consider its legal obligations under the Development Planning Act, particularly regarding the input of the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage.

According to FAA, 46 residents joined the appeal, supported by legal and technical advisers Darren Carabott and Perit Jesmond Mugliett. The NGO described the Tribunal’s decision as a significant outcome for civil society.

FAA Coordinator Astrid Vella criticised what she described as a pattern of permits being issued against expert advice and questioned why residents must invest time and financial resources to challenge decisions they consider unlawful. She also referred to the demolition of heritage buildings in Zimmermann Lane as evidence of the consequences of allowing construction to proceed while appeals are pending.

 

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