Wied Ghomor 27-storey hotel too high, Planning Authority design panel warns

The Planning Authority’s advisory panel on design issues has shot down a proposed 27-storey hotel overlooking Wied Ghomor in St Julian’s, by the Mikiel Anton Vassalli bridge.

“The extensive height of the proposed structure will negatively impact the surrounding properties and landscape,” the Design Advisory Committee said in its first comments on the application.

The new hotel, which would rise 24 storeys above street level, has been proposed inside development zones in an undeveloped plot of just over 3,000sq.m, surrounded by existing roads and enjoying views of the protected valley.

The area is presently zoned as a public open space by the North Harbour local plan, a policy aimed at protecting remaining open public spaces and prevent their development to other uses.

The site hosts a number of indigenous and native trees such as cypress and sandarac trees, carobs and almond trees, all of which are protected. The St Julian’s local council is also objecting to this application.

The development is proposed by Tum Invest, a former company from the Tumas Group.

The outline application proposed the construction of a hotel with related amenities, with three levels of basement parking for parking and 24 overlying floors.

Valley views are becoming increasingly attractive for prospective hotel developers. Another 12-room guesthouse, proposed instead of two ODZ villas which had already been approved by the PA in 2017 instead of the ruins of an old farmhouse, is currently awaiting a permit in the immediate vicinity of the bridge. The Environment and Resources Authority has objected to the development, noting that the permit for two villas was used as a stepping-stone to acquire a permit for a guesthouse.

The ERA has warned that “piecemeal development outside the development zone” could set a negative precedent. Owner Karl Camilleri said in his project development statement that the replacement building including swimming pools and deck areas which will not exceed the 400sq.m area, and that the hotel will offer “excellent value for money” to tourists searching for a relaxing ambience inside one of the island’s busiest tourist hotspots.

The proposed development is located within a scheduled Area of Ecological Importance (AEI) and a scheduled Area of High Landscape Value.

Only last year the Planning Authority approved a five-storey high hotel with 23 rooms on land previously occupied by a 60sq.m garage, located outside the building zone in St Julian’s on the valley side between the Tigullio complex and the Mikiel Anton Vassalli bridge. An appeal has been presented against the development by the St Julian’s local council.