planning authority

Photo: Jonathan Borg

From private jets to protests: db group’s ITS victory is mired in controversy

Permits for the three-tower project have been approved, revoked, refiled, approved again, appealed and finally confirmed by the courts in an eight-year saga

June 1, 2023| Jessica Arena |41
The popular scheme was oversubscribed within minutes. File photo

After Irrestawra Darek drama, PA considers another façade restoration scheme

More than 350 applications were registered within the first few minutes of the scheme being opened

May 31, 2023| Times of Malta |7
Activists say they are exploring other legal avenues to continue fighting the permit. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Activists on db’s ITS towers: 'We're disappointed, but we won’t give up'

Pembroke City Centre towers given the go-ahead after developer wins court battle

May 31, 2023| Jessica Arena |10
According to plans filed to the Planning Authority, Bormla's historic Rialto Theatre is to be leased by the Labour Party to construction company GP Borg Holdings. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

GP Borg files plans to restore Labour-owned Rialto theatre with added floor

Art Deco building in Cospicua has been in disuse for several years

May 31, 2023| Giulia Magri |18
A computer-generated render of the proposed project provided by DB Group.

Court victory for db Group as appeal against ITS towers dismissed

Decision means City Centre project at St George's Bay will go ahead

May 31, 2023| Edwina Brincat, Bertrand Borg |165
'Irrestawra Darek' is known to be an extremely popular scheme and has always registered great interest. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.

Irrestawra Darek scheme oversubscribed within minutes, crashing PA site

More than 350 applications for PA facade restoration scheme submitted in minutes

May 30, 2023| Mark Laurence Zammit |50
The applicant wants to turn this abandoned structure set on four tumoli of land off Triq il-Kaffis, Swieqi, into a lavish villa complete with a swimming pool, underlying basement and landscaping.

Fourth attempt to build luxury villa in Wied Għomor ODZ

Undeterred by previous failed attempts, developers file fresh PA plans

May 30, 2023| Matthew Xuereb |33
Protesters speak up. Photos: Chris Sant Fournier, compilation: Daniel Tihn

Watch: ‘We’ve had enough living in a construction site’

Protesters have their say during Saturday's protest

May 28, 2023| Mark Laurence Zammit |30
A render of the proposed caravan site.

Naxxar council approves Coast Road site for caravan parking

Site close to Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq to be turned into site for caravans and motorhomes

May 27, 2023| Matthew Xuereb |35
changing planning policies and radically reforming all institutions responsible for the environment are among protestor's demands Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Saturday's Xebbajtuna national protest 'justified' - PN

The protest starts from near the Triton Fountain at 10.30am

May 26, 2023| Daniel Ellul |8
Vince Cassar

Editorial: Voices in the wilderness

The ERA and civil society both struggle to have their views make a difference on environmental and planning matters

May 25, 2023| Times of Malta |2
Now is the time for the public to speak out against the Planning Authority’s betrayal of its mission statement. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

This is a call to arms

The public must stand up and be counted by participating in the national environmental protest in Valletta this Saturday

May 24, 2023| Astrid Vella|8
Objectors fear the 15-storey hotel will block out sunshine and fresh air from their homes. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Carlo Stivala plans 15-floor hotel at Sliema Ferries

The proposed building will dwarf the row of three-storey houses in Triq San Vincenz

May 23, 2023| Jessica Arena |17
If approved farmland in Nigret would be up for development Photo: Johnathan Borg

Watch: MPs skirt questions on proposed development of Żurrieq farmland

The site faces an Outside Development Zone

May 23, 2023| Daniel Ellul |5
President of Malta Chamber of Planners has called for Malta's planning to focus on the "common good" of society. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Planners urged to focus on common good, as chamber pushes for warrants

Malta Chamber of Planners head urges members to steer clear of conflicting interests

May 22, 2023| Giulia Magri |4
Activists held up placards as they encouraged people to attend their May 27 protest. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

‘In chaos, abuse reigns’: activists say they’ve had enough of the PA

Demonstrators drum up support for their May 27 national protest

May 20, 2023| Jessica Arena |25
Maltese balconies on a local street. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Irrestawra Darek facade restoration scheme returns for fourth time

PA allocates €5 million to scheme funding restoration of UCA and protected homes

May 19, 2023| Times of Malta |7
Arable fields are set to convert to residential areas should the PA take up the Case Officer's approval recommendation Photo: Johnathan Borg

Żurrieq farmland could become residential area, despite 1,500 objections

If approved, 12,000 square metres of arable land would be slated for development

May 18, 2023| Daniel Ellul |57
The PA removing illegal extensions in Pietà

PA demolishing illegal building extension along Pietà fortifications

Repeated enforcement notices were ignored

May 17, 2023| Times of Malta |20
The Planning Authority is failing to apply planning laws correctly, according to Chamber of Architects president Andre Pizzuto.

The planning fiascos reversed by the law courts

From already-built pools to hotels, the PA and EPRT have often put their foot in it

May 16, 2023| Matthew Xuereb |44
Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Permits for new homes drop from Q1 2022 highs

Declines of almost 20 per cent registered in first three months of the year

May 15, 2023| Times of Malta |0
ADPD press conference outside the planning authority

PA 'strong with the weak and weak with the strong'

Authority needs reforms to place people before profit and power, ADPD says

May 13, 2023| Times of Malta |3
ERA chairman Vince Cassar.

'All we can do is give an opinion': ERA boss admits planning toothlessness

Vince Cassar admits the environmental watchdog has limited influence at the PA

May 13, 2023| Times of Malta |32
The Paola town house made headlines this week when residents and local councillors flagged issues with the approved building that will house 17 studio apartments. PHOTO: Matthew Mirabelli.

Paola developer gets parking fee slashed from €110,000 to €35,000

Mayor says Planning Commission should have imposed an even higher fee

May 12, 2023| Mark Laurence Zammit |31
Photo provided by the planning authority.

PA turns down developer's request to retain structure encroaching on street

Developer constructs apartment block in St Paul's Bay, ignores permit condition

May 12, 2023| Times of Malta |5
Activists carried coffins and dresses as grim reapers on the MDA's doorstep. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Activists hold mock funeral for environment in front of MDA offices

Moviment Graffitti activists slam planning processes, urge people to attend protest

May 12, 2023| Daniel Ellul |41
Prime minister Robert Abela

Editorial: The May Day Horse of Troy

PM has little credibility when he expresses concern about developments going ahead while still under appeal

May 12, 2023| Times of Malta |8
A render of the new hotel. Photo: Developer

Mellieħa Bay Hotel to be demolished, rebuilt double the size

NGO representative only PA board member to vote against

May 11, 2023| Matthew Xuereb |30
The new Eurospin supermarked will replace this landmark shipyard on the main road to the south of the island. Photo: Google

PA board approves new Eurospin supermarket in Marsa

Entrance and exits will not be on Aldo Moro Road

May 11, 2023| Matthew Xuereb |31
A rendered image of the proposed development

Naxxar megablock: Court says mayor had no conflict of interest, rejects appeal

Plans for dual towers with 136 apartments are now free to go ahead

May 10, 2023| Jessica Arena |0