I have known Malta for 60 years, loved it and watched the population explosion take hold.

As a property developer in several parts of the world I have considered seriously the consequences of the recent approval of a 38-storey tower and 17-floor hotel on the site in St George’s.

The impact will be colossal and probably herald other tower blocks as the century becomes older. 

Hong Kong has had similar population and development problems and flourishes as an international monetary centre, which Malta with its advantage of proximity to Europe, will successfully emulate. 

The most major condition that I propose should be imposed in the final approval is that 90 if not 100 per cent of the residential accommodation should be reserved for Maltese inhabitants only for at least 20 years if not in perpetuity.