PA defends itself on Żabbar care home, pointing to local plans
Mayor has slammed plans for five-storey home in town centre as 'rape'
The Planning Authority has defended its decision to allow a five-storey care home to rise in the heart of Zabbar, saying it is in line with local plan limits for the area.
In a statement issued on Friday, the PA argued that the development could technically have risen seven floors instead of the five that were approved.
“Importantly, this application did not make use of the additional allowable height stipulated in the Height Limitation Adjustment Policy for Retirement Homes (2017), which permits two extra floors above the Local Plan limit,” it said.
Local plans are established by politicians and approved by parliament, not the PA. Existing local plans date back to 2006. Despite multiple political pledges in ensuing years to update them, the almost 20-year-old plans remain in force.
The Żabbar development, which was unanimously approved by the PA earlier this week despite bipartisan opposition from local councillors, will replace an existing two-storey building with a five-storey care home housing 73 residents in 32 rooms.
It is being led by developer Daniel Zerafa.
Zerafa, through his architect James Bonnici Camilleri, had initially applied to build a seven-storey building there, using a policy that allows care homes to rise two floors higher than the maximum permissible height in some cases.
The PA had decided that the additional two floors would not allow the building to integrate within its context – a requirement when applying the extra floor provision – and therefore made the developer bring the project down to a five-storey one.
The PA emphasised that point in its statement on Friday, saying the building’s overall height “has been reduced from approximately 23.00 metres to 17.50 metres.”
“Furthermore, the existing façade is being retained, and the design has been carefully followed to create a sense of continuity within the piazza. This approval reflects the established planning parameters for the locality and ensures that the development remains sensitive to its surroundings,” it said.
Councillors, however, disagree.
Żabbar’s mayor Jorge Grech has described the plan as “horrific” and accused the PA of helping destroy the town.
“Our locality has been raped by this horrific development and lack of planning, with the blessing and authorisation of the Planning Commission,” he said.
“This development will create several blank high walls and supports overlooking nearby residents, which will be visible from various areas and significant locations,” he warned.
The care home will rise in Misraħ tal-Madonna Medjatriċi and Triq Ganni Bonavia, just across the road from the southern town’s parish church.
Apart from the church, the church also hosts the Notre Dame Hall, the Żabbar Sanctuary Museum, and Dar Sagra Familja, a children's home run by the Church.