The PA board approved plans for a nine-storey residential complex on the site of the former Halland hotel in Swieqi.

The application was approved with 10 votes in favour and three against, with NGO representative Annick Bonello, Opposition representative Marthese Portelli and Swieqi local council architect Anton Valentino voting against on the basis of the project’s massing, density and location on the ridge of Wied Għomor.

The plans include the demolition of the existing building to make way for 71 apartments and about 150 underground parking spaces, retaining the existing height.

During the hearing, architect Joanna Spiteri Staines, representing residents, accused the PA of “mathemical yoga” in attempting to reconcile the proposal with planning policies she said it breached, and highlighted concerns over the impact of the large-scale development on the surrounding villa area, as well as the protected valley.

The PA concluded that the proposal was not in breach of any policies.

It had been recommended for approval despite opposition from the Swieqi, St Julian’s and San Ġwann local councils, against what they said was “gross overdevelopment of the site”.

Read: Halland development plans are far too vast, says Civil Society Network

Swieqi mayor Noel Muscat said during the hearing: “This is already a town without any open spaces or recreational area. I would have liked to see the developers factor this in. How does this project improve its environment?”

Residents said in a statement on Wednesday that the proposal “ makes a mockery of planning policies both past and present [and] runs roughshod over all planning guidelines that were intended to control development and protect both the built-up and natural environment.”

However, the PA case officer noted that the local plan policy allowed for residential development on the site. Moreover, he said the current pedestrian access to Wied Għomor would not be hindered, with the project entirely limited to the confines of the existing hotel, inside development zones, after a planned protrusion into the adjacent ODZ was dropped from the plans.

The design, described as “a waved building with setbacks in each floor”, was also considered aesthetically acceptable.

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