Hotels object to high-rise building

Two companies that run hotels in Qawra filed a judicial protest against the Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday holding it responsible for damages they would suffer if the authority allowed the construction of a 27-storey building nearby.

In the application, filed in the First Hall of the Civil Court, CH Formosa Ltd and Noniroca Ltd explained that they were the owners and operators of Canifor Hotel and Darirose Aparthotel in Qawra.

The two hotels, they said, were in an area where there was a proposal for the construction of a 27-storey building, the application of which had reached an advanced stage.

The companies noted that such a development would have a dramatic impact on the local infrastructure and amenities and the proposed height exceeded the five-storey limit laid down in the policies for the area.

Besides this, the companies were concerned that such a high- rise building would shield the sun from reaching the hotel pools.

This would be detrimental to the value of the hotels which would have to stop operating, leading to the loss of about 80 jobs.

The companies held Mepa liable for any damages suffered.

Lawyer Chris Cilia signed the application.