Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg used his Planning Board seat to defend a developer planning an 8-storey hotel in Gżira, an environmental group has alleged.

Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar said it was "disgusted" by Mr Buttigieg's behaviour during the hearing for a hotel application by Michael Stivala, who also serves as the Malta Development Association's general secretary.  

Mr Stivala established the 4-storey Blubay Hotel & Apartments on the site back in 2012. He is now seeking planning permission to double the building's height, through what the FAA allege are a series of "piecemeal applications". 

Mr Buttigieg, the NGO alleged, leapt to Mr Stivala's defence during the board meeting when the applicant was asked why his application would result in fewer, rather than more, parking spaces.

"Are the parking facilities on site even used?" Mr Buttigieg is alleged to have mused out aloud.  

Developer and MDA secretary-general Michael Stivala. Photo: LinkedIn

FAA claimed that when the Planning Board noted that local plans for the area only allowed for hostels rather than hotels, the PA CEO intervened to say that "there are many hotels built in areas which are not designated for hotels". 

"When asked by a fellow board member if he thought it was a good thing, the CEO rebutted, 'No, just stating it'," the FAA said in a statement. 

The environmental NGO said that the application should never have been heard by the Planning Board in the first place, which usually concerns itself with large-scale projects. 

"A hearing in front of the Planning Board would however ensure the presence of PA CEO Johann Buttigieg," the NGO said, adding that it was "not the first time" that Mr Buttigieg had "intervened in favour of developers".