Construction works in tourist areas to be halted during Summer

Prime touristic locations around Malta will this summer be spared any excavations or demolition works, the Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Administrative Simplification Michael Falzon announced this morning.

The blanket prohibition, which Falzon said followed consultation with developers, will begin on 15 June, last until 30 September and will not

He added that no compensation will be given to developers. Whilst the specific areas in question are yet to be made public, Falzon said that around 70 roads will be affected by the measure, with tourist hotspots Sliema, St Julians and Bugibba all localities which will be included.

“A good touristic industry does not solely equate to having bars and restaurants,” he said. “The general ambience is also very important, and having less construction is part of this.”

Falzon said that it was important to find a balance between two of Malta’s biggest economic pillars – tourism and development – but pointed out that residents will also benefit from what he desecribed as a “break time in construction”.

When asked how this differed from the inconvenience residents put up with throughout the rest of the year, Falzon said that halting construction throughout the year was not feasible.

Any illegal excavation and demolition works carried out in the identified localities and streets may be reported to the Building Regulations Office on telephone number 2292 7608 (during office hours) or 99637508 (after office hours).

The full list of localities and streets where demolition or excavation works are prohibited during the summer months may be viewed on website www.mepa.org.mt/info-summerbreak.

The Malta Tourism Authority, who competence it is to identify the localities and streets where demolition or excavation works cannot be carried out, still holds the right to change or amend the list of streets as it deems necessary.