construction

Fumes emitted by the Bitmac asphalt plant in Tal-Balal Road. Photo: Iklin Residents/Facebook

More than 1,500 sign petition calling for action against Iklin tarmac plant

Residents say the smell of tarmac even infiltrates closed windows

December 9, 2023| Times of Malta
Charles Buhagiar, has been appointed chairman of the new Building and Construction Consultative Council. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Architect and former Labour minister made new building council chair  

Charles Buhagiar will lead the new version of the BICC

December 6, 2023| Matthew Xuereb
The collapsed building in Corradino that had killed Jean Paul Sofia. File photo

Health, safety authority not informed of Corradino development that killed Sofia

OHSA said that a project supervisor usually notifies authority before works begin

December 5, 2023| Edwina Brincat
File photo: Times of Malta

Worker seriously injured in Gżira fall

He was carrying out work on a building facade

December 4, 2023| Times of Malta
The parents of construction victim Jean Paul Sofia have demanded compensation in path towards full justice for their son. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Jean Paul Sofia’s parents file case for compensation

'Case to seek full justice and prevent more deaths'

December 4, 2023| Times of Malta
John Sofia looks on at his son’s empty room whenever he slept over. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

‘I hope he died on impact’: Jean Paul Sofia’s father opens up

A distraught John Sofia cannot recover from the tragedy and recalls the last day with his son

December 3, 2023| Mark Laurence Zammit
The site of the waste-to-energy plant in Magħtab. Photo: Wasteserv

Robert Abela’s Vitals

Prime Minister Robert Abela’s close links to Bonnici Brothers is cause for concern

December 3, 2023| Kevin Cassar
The PN has 28 days to challenge the legal notice. Photos: Matthew Mirabelli/Chris Sant Fournier

PN still studying decision to extend PA permit deadlines

Bernard Grech: ‘We are studying the legal notice and will be have a position soon’

December 2, 2023| Daniel Ellul
The link between geology and construction goes beyond mere identification of rock typology. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Geology, engineers and a licence

Understanding the geology of the islands has important ramifications, not only academically, but also for practical applications such as construction

December 2, 2023| Adrian Mifsud
When it comes to works adjacent to third-party properties, there are distinct regulations to adhere to. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Protecting third-party property

Objective of 2019 building regulations is to reduce risk of damage to third-party

December 1, 2023| Robert Musumeci
Ian Borg’s residence in Santa Katerina valley, on the outskirts of Rabat. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Judge confirms permit for Ian Borg’s Rabat house

Claims that the law had been misinterpreted were dismissed

November 30, 2023| Matthew Xuereb
Rescue work under way. Photo: AFP

Indian rescuers on verge of bringing 41 trapped in tunnel out

Ambulances moved towards the mouth of the tunnel entrance

November 28, 2023| AFP
Paramedics wait near the tunnel where rescuers work. Photo: AFP

India bid to free 41 trapped workers enters third week

Digging is ongoing in three directions

November 26, 2023| AFP
Cars were seen on a video bobbing around in flooded streets at Mrieħel. Stills from a video shared on Facebook.

Drowning in bad planning

It’s incredible how fragile the situation is

November 26, 2023| Anna Marie Galea
The site, currently a vacant plot, was previously a traditional house on the Pietà seafront before it was demolished. Photo: Planning Authority

Plans for new block threaten to ‘mutilate’ views from Villa Frere

Pietà primary school would be “suffocated”, heritage NGO claims

November 25, 2023| Jessica Arena
Leon Chetcuti (left) will take up the role as the MDA's new CEO. Photo: Facebook. Right: Sandro Chetcuti.

Sandro Chetcuti's son Leon named new MDA chief executive

As CEO, Chetcuti will play leading role in day-to-day running of developers' lobby

November 24, 2023| Times of Malta
Rescuers had to go down a five-meter drop to retrieve Sofia from the site. File Photo: Times of Malta

Rescuers heard Jean Paul Sofia’s phone ringing in the rubble, court hears

CPD officials only confirmed Sofia had been on the site after reviewing CCTV footage

November 24, 2023| Edwina Brincat
The building at Corradino collapsed killing Jean Paul Sofia (inset). Photo: Jonathan Borg

Editorial: Loophole-ridden regulations

It is becoming increasingly clearer that the system regulating construction is wantonly designed to fail

November 23, 2023| Times of Malta
The number of building permits has gone down. Photo Jonathan Borg.

Permits for new dwellings down by 12.7% in third quarter

Highest volume of new building is in St Paul's Bay, Mosta and Birkirkara

November 21, 2023| Times of Malta
The reinforced concrete water tower at the Public Abattoir, Marsa. An example of sustainable concrete used for the restoration of industrial heritage. Photo: Ruben Paul Borg (University of Malta).

Could construction waste be turned into useable concrete?

International concrete conference to hear about Malta-led research project

November 20, 2023| Times of Malta
The 12 mature Ficus trees next to the iconic Mosta Rotunda, butchered at the behest of the local council with the blessing of the ERA. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Editorial: Labour’s ‘Project Grief’

Arrogance will be Labour’s downfall: it seems busier servicing developers than the electorate

November 19, 2023| Times of Malta
Maria Dolores Zarb (left, inset) was giving a Maltese language lesson to Nadya Vavilova (right, inset) in her apartment when the building collapsed, killing them both.

Jailed contractor wins payout for 18-year case

Paul Demicoli's case over 2004 collapse was only definitively concluded in 2022

November 18, 2023| Matthew Xuereb
Planning Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi is in the line of fire after the extension given. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Planning permits extension is an 'amnesty for developers' lobby'

Graffitti wants legal notice revoked

November 17, 2023| Press Release
A vernacular farmhouse and mature garden in this urban conservation area ‘would have to be destroyed’ to accommodate the development. Photo: Jonathan Borg

‘Sold’: ODZ townhouses in Għargħur without a permit

Developer lists two sales for properties that have not yet been approved by PA

November 17, 2023| Times of Malta
The empty plot of land, which lies behind the pictured wall, is entirely in rural and ODZ land. Photo via Google Maps

Heritage watchdog cannot see justification for residences in Xagħra ODZ

Developer wants to build two terraced houses in rural area

November 16, 2023| Times of Malta
The applicant wants to turn this abandoned structure on the outskirts of Swieqi into a lavish villa complete with a swimming pool, underlying basement and landscaping. Photo: PA

Wied Għomor at risk after lavish villa on ODZ land is recommended for approval

Several attempts to develop the site were repeatedly refused

November 16, 2023| Matthew Xuereb
Development permits due to expire by the end of 2024 were extended by a further three years. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Government quietly extends validity of planning permits by three years

MDA welcomes 'much-needed relief for permit holders'

November 15, 2023| Matthew Xuereb
Jean Paul Sofia, inset, was killed when a building under construction collapsed in Corradino in December. Photos: Jonathan Borg / FACEBOOK

Sofia inquiry hears shock testimony about legal failings

No law exists to allow BCA to oversee free-standing structures, academic testifies

November 14, 2023| Edwina Brincat
Government has initiated a move to tighten the control and oversight of construction activities. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Proposals on permit suspensions

Some ways to reduce delays in the start of construction activity

November 14, 2023| Robert Musumeci
The project's applicants claimed that the site is just outside the buffer zone. Photo: Planning Authority

Fact-check: Is the Ġgantija development outside UNESCO’s buffer zone?

The project's applicants say that it is, but objectors argue otherwise

November 13, 2023| Neville Borg