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Architects with ‘good’ connections

Mr Spiteri said that a few well-known architects have ‘good’ connections in the Planning Authority ensuring that their permits get approved quickly.

Earlier this month the Chamber of Architects criticised the PA on the same grounds. In a tit-for-tat, the Chamber accused the PA of applying two weights and two measures in assessing applications, while the authority hit back by saying that large projects went against approved plans with full collaboration of architects.

When asked to comment on the public’s perception that the PA is tough on common folk and lenient with rich people, Mr Spiteri disagreed completely. "I have clients who are among the richest on the Island and yet their permits get bogged down like anybody else’s," he replied.

Mr Spiteri described the situation as a sad reality, adding that developers go to the ‘selected’ architects knowing full well that in this way they will obtain their permits quickly.

The Mellieha architect did not mince his words. "In 1992 in Parliament I had said that we created a monster and I still believe this," with reference to the PA.

Mr Spiteri pointed out a number of inconsistencies in the PA’s decisions starting with the permit granted to a particular hotel on the Gzira waterfront. "The Gzira waterfront has a height limit of six storeys. However, when a particular hotel was built it was given a permit for nine storeys," he retorted.

Another example cited by Mr Spiteri concerned him directly. "I was the architect of the Vivaldi Hotel in Paceville, and when we applied for permits the PA asked me to create a sizeable underground parking area. Why were similar establishments in the area not required to create parking facilities?" Mr Spiteri asked pertinently.

Mr Spiteri laid the blame squarely on the PA’s technical board and expressed his regret at the inconsistencies.