The planning policy objectives for Floriana was coming at the detriment of the residential community, the local council has warned.
This primary concern for the Floriana Local Council is specifically recognised by so-called Policy GF 15, a policy which is designed to strictly control new office development in Floriana.
The council asked if the Planning Authority was adhering to Policy GF 15 since recent years have witnessed a surge of new office spaces where this involves a change of use from residential buildings to business spaces, an undesirable precedent. The disregard to Policy GF 15 goes against the protection of the Floriana.
"The current local plan for the Grand Harbour area clearly reflects the tension of opposing interests in Floriana: namely the erasing of the residential fabric to make space for new office/commercial development," a council statement said.