The proposed White Rocks project in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq clashes with the Planning Authority’s development brief for the area, the Times of Malta is informed.

Planning watchdog sources noted that the development brief in place excluded villas and other real estate, which the private developers were proposing.

“According to a development brief issued in 1995, only tourism-related projects are allowed, and no villas or apartments for sale can be permitted,” the sources said.

The proposed project being discussed with the government was thus in direct conflict with the brief, they added.

“This means that either the project will not be allowed to include any villas or the Planning Authority will have to change its brief to suit the private developers,” the sources said.

Asked if the 1995 development brief was still valid in view of the ongoing discussions, a Planning Authority spokesman confirmed when contacted that the 1995 White Rocks development brief for the area remained valid despite the ongoing talks on the project.

The Ministry for the Economy failed to reply when asked whether the preferred bidder’s proposal was is in conformity with the PA’s policy.

The ministry was also asked why the original call issued by the government included the possibility of real estate development which the policy in force did not allow. However, no reply was forthcoming on this either.

Speaking on behalf of the White Rocks Development Consortium earlier this year, entrepreneur Tony Zahra said a deal was on the brink of being concluded with the government on the transfer of about 450,000 square metres of public land to be developed into a mixed-tourism project in the area.

Zahra refused to divulge offer for the prime land

He said that, apart from a seven-star hotel and other tourism-related facilities, the project would also include some 70 luxury villas for sale.

Renders of what the developers are proposing for the site.

Mr Zahra, who is also president of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, refused to say how much the consortium was prepared to fork out for the concession of the prime public land, estimated to have a market value of about €350 million.

The Sunday Times of Malta reported that the consortium’s offer was not deemed satisfactory by the government, as it fell much short of the valuation done.

In fact, although Mr Zahra spoke of an imminent deal, the government said the talks were still ongoing and a final decision was yet to be made.

The consortium includes the Mizzi Group, entrepreneur Michael Bianchi, Tal-Magħtab Construction and the Livingston Brothers from the UK.

This is the latest attempt in a series to develop the site, which used to serve as the British Services married quarters.

A €200 million project by private companies, mostly from the UK and announced in 2010 under a Nationalist administration, aimed to turn White Rocks into a sports and leisure village.

Even at the time, the plans included real estate development, which was not in line with the development brief. The project never materialised, with then parliamentary secretary Clyde Puli admitting it had failed.