Updated 2.30pm with decisions

Hugo Chetcuti’s plans for a new 12-storey hotel in Paceville, one of the last applications he filed before his death last year, are likely to be approved despite exceeding the height limitation. 

The proposal to demolish an existing villa in Triq Elija Zammit and build a 74-room hotel over 12 floors was submitted last April, three months before Mr Chetcuti was stabbed outside another of his Paceville establishments.

It was recommended for refusal due to a breach of the area’s height limitation policy. The proposed height of 42 metres is above the limit set by planning policy, which amounts to 32 metres even after the addition of the two extra floors allowed to hotels.

However, at a PA board hearing on Thursday, the project architect argued that the hotel would nevertheless be lower than another approved hotel directly adjacent. 

In a preliminary vote, the board stated their intention to approve the application, overturning the recommendation. A formal decision will be taken in the coming weeks. 

The proposed hotel had drawn no objections from the public or consulting entities, with the Malta Tourism Authority describing it as an “upgrade” on the existing touristic product.

The PA case officer praised the architectural design, described as “a very contemporary and interesting architectural statement” complementing the area’s designation as a hotel development zone.

Large Bengħisa solar farm approved

Artist's impression of the approved solar farm in what is now a disused landfill.

The PA also approved a 29,000-square-metre solar farm in a disused landfill in Bengħisa, in the limits of Birżebbuġa.

The site, outside development zones, was once a quarry and is now used for bird trapping activities and fly-tipping of vehicle parts.

Under the approved plans, the site will be cleared, including the demolition of a garage and other structures, and solar panels installed over an area nearly the size of three football pitches, while the rest of the area will be landscaped. 

The project was approved under the 2017 solar farms policy, which encourages the development of such facilities as part of the government’s strategy for reaching its renewable energy targets.

The policy prioritises disused landfills, large-scale rooftops, industrial areas and quarries and specifically excludes open countryside, protected or scenic areas, Natura 2000 sites and land registered for agricultural purposes.

The Environment and Resources Authority said the development was not expected to have any significant impacts on the adjacent Natura 2000 sites.

In line with the policy, the development will have to be decommissioned and the site restored to an acceptable use within 30 years.