ADPD decries 'reign of greed' marked by Fort Chambray and Ġgantija decisions

ADPD has accused planning authorities of sacrificing Malta’s cultural heritage to speculation, after a tribunal rejected NGO appeals against the redevelopment of Fort Chambray.

The Environment and Planning Review Tribunal on Thursday upheld two permits tied to the Għajnsielem project, allowing the dismantling, internal demolition and relocation of parts of the British-era barracks at the historic fort.

The project includes a five-star aparthotel, 64 hotel rooms, 50 serviced apartments and residential units. It is led by by Gozitan developer Michael Caruana on behalf of Fort Chambray Ltd.

The company was able to file the proposal after both Labour and Nationalist MPs voted in favour of amending terms of a concession deal granted in 1993.

ADPD chairperson Sandra Gauci and 13th district candidate Luke Caruana said Fort Chambray was “one example of the reign of greed” in Malta.

They criticised planners for approving the project, saying the country’s history and collective memory should not be handed over “for speculation and the enjoyment of the few”.

“You need to see it to believe it,” they said, also referring to the authority’s approval of development in the buffer zone around Ġgantija, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

ADPD described the Fort Chambray project as “monstrous”, saying it would demolish a substantial part of the fort to make way for a hotel and commercial complex.

“It is ironic and tragic that we build hotels to accommodate tourists, but to do so we dismantle the very things that attract tourists to our country,” the party said.

Heritage organisations had argued that the barracks formed part of Fort Chambray’s historical character and should remain in their original position. The tribunal, however, accepted that an earlier outline permit had already established the principle of dismantling and relocation, and noted that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage had not objected to relocation.

The decision follows months of controversy over the project. The Planning Authority approved the redevelopment in December 2024, despite strong objections from heritage NGOs, academics and residents. The authority had approved two linked applications, one for the demolition of the barracks and another for the wider development of the site.

Plans to develop the British-era military barracks have led to the site being listed among Europa Nosta’s seven most endangered sites in Europe. 

ADPD said Malta already had “more than enough” hotels and did not need more development at the expense of cultural heritage.

“What are culture and our common heritage worth when profits for the few are at stake? Apparently, nothing,” the party said.