Massive extension proposed for Paradise Bay Hotel

The Paradise Bay Hotel, located in one of Malta’s most picturesque coastal areas, has submitted plans for a massive extension, planning documents show.

The proposed expansion of the hotel at the northern-most tip of Malta would increase the number of rooms from the existing 275 to 507.

If approved, the development would increase the hotel’s built-up footprint from 8,251sq.m to 9,498sq.m and its gross floor area from 29,826sq.m to 70,220sq.m. The architectural plans and photomontages were drawn up by Demicoli & Associates.

The expansion would be achieved through the addition of two new floors to the hotel’s existing west wing and other structural modifications, including the demolition of the east wing, excavation works, and the construction of new facilities—including an underground parking area, reservoirs, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, back-of-house facilities, extensive soft landscaping, a water park, restaurants, a multipurpose hall, an auditorium, and guest suites.

Situated along the foreshore overlooking the Gozo Channel, the hotel grounds border both an Area of Ecological Importance and an Area of High Landscape Value.

ERA calls for downsized plans

Given the site’s environmental sensitivity, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has raised serious concerns about the project, particularly the significant increase in built mass. The extent of excavations planned near the cliff edge, an area known for its important geological deposits, is also of concern.

ERA also flagged potential light pollution and the expansion of dominant development closer to the protected natural area to the east. In light of these concerns, the authority stated that “the proposal cannot currently be supported from an environmental point of view and is to be downscaled to address the concerns raised.”

Although the project requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) due to its scale and location, ERA warned that such studies are unlikely to overcome its current objections. The authority has therefore urged the developer to reduce the project’s scope before the EIA process begins.

Heritage concerns

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has also expressed reservations about the proposal, noting that the area forms part of a “wider cultural landscape defined by its scenic quality, agricultural activity, and coastal character.”

Originally built in the 1960s, the Paradise Bay Hotel was designed in a modernist style by the renowned Maltese architect Richard England. While acknowledging that the structure has been altered and extended over the decades, the Superintendence has requested a clear and well-substantiated justification for its proposed demolition rather than its preservation and integration within the new development.

Noting that the hotel’s coastal setting defines key historical views across the Gozo Channel (Il-Fliegu), the Superintendence also warned that the proposed expansion could significantly affect the integrity of the coastal landscape, including views from prominent vantage points on Comino.