Having visited Malta twice a year for the past 10 years, staying at my favourite hotel (the Fortina) I was sad to hear that the Fortina 4 star has already closed down and the Fortina 5 star will close in January for three years while they redevelop.
I understand that both hotels will be expanded underground (car park and shops) and upwards (more storeys) to create luxury apartments that will sell for €1-€1.5 million and a new 5 star hotel.
This site offered the most beautiful view of Valletta at night with the lights reflecting off the water and now we regular visitors are excluded for three years. Where else can we enjoy such a view?
I am also concerned about the owners of the existing timeshares in the Fortina and the owners of surrounding apartments whose views will be blocked. There seems to be much secrecy around the planning application and a lack of transparency on the overall impact of the development, which would not be allowed to happen in the UK.
I sense that the ‘fat cats’ will win this proposal and the local residents will not have a proper say or right to object to the proposed development.