The Planning Authority may have to turn objectors away from today’s hearing, expected to decide on controversial plans for a 38-storey tower and 17-storey hotel in St George’s Bay, due to huge demand for places.

The sitting will take place at a larger venue than usual, the St George Preca College hall, in Ħamrun, but Moviment Graffitti said yesterday the PA had informed those trying to book a place no further reservations could be accepted.

Still, Graffiti, one of several groups objecting to the project, urged all those interested to attend the meeting anyway. “It is the right of everyone, especially registered objectors, to be present for this public meeting and object in person to this project,” the group said on Facebook. “If there is not enough space inside the hall, we’ll still be able to make our stand clear from outside the premises.”

More than 4,000 people have submitted objections to the PA – the largest number for any planning application ever – over the db Group’s plans to develop the former Institute of Tourism Studies site. Hundreds of Pembroke residents attended protests in recent months, supported by environmental groups and surrounding local councils.

The objectors have highlighted concerns over the project’s scale and its impact on the residential community, apart from issues of traffic generation and adherence to planning policy.

The Planning Directorate has, nevertheless, recommended the case for approval, concluding that the project was in line with all relevant policies and would create a “landmark building” in the area.

Pembroke mayor Dean Hili, who will have a vote on the PA board on behalf of the local council, declared he would be voting against the project. Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia said he expected Marthese Portelli, the Opposition representative on the board, to do the same.

In a statement, the Democratic Party also voiced its opposition to the project.

It said the development would have a “gross negative impact” on people living in the area and degrade quality of life due to traffic congestion, pollution and overshadowing.

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