PA rejects controversial Marsaskala ODZ mall and hotel project

The Planning Authority board has rejected a contentious proposal to build a shopping mall and hotel on a 7,212sq.m site outside development boundaries along Triq Sant Antnin in Marsaskala.

Application PA/07170/23, covering a site at Triq iż-Żagħfran and Triq Sant Antnin, was recommended for refusal by the Development Management Directorate before Thursday’s board decision which argued that the commercial development proposed would “unnecessary land take-up” in the Outside Development Zone which whose rural characteristics should be preserved.

The application presented by Carmelo Abela, Mario Abela, and Joe Attard proposed to construct a mixed-use development comprising of three underground levels dedicated to parking facilities and a supermarket, and four overground levels set to include retail shops, a gymnasium, food and beverage establishments and a hotel with indoor and outdoor pool areas.

The Marsaskala Local Council opposed the plan, calling it “a non-starter,” while residents raised concerns over traffic, infrastructure, and the impact on the area’s ODZ status. ADPD-The Green Party had also objected to the development.

The Environment and Resources Authority warned that the project would urbanise ODZ land.

Enemalta flagged missing technical details, requesting an electrical load breakdown. the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage noted the site’s rural landscape, terraced fields, and rubble walls merit preservation. Transport Malta also flagged the absence of a Traffic Impact Assessment.