Mellieha Local Council appeals PA approval of 109-unit apartment block at Mellieha Heights

The Mellieħa Local Council has legally appealed against the proposed development of Mellieħa Heights (PA/00371/24), for a controversial 4,000 square metre, 109-unit apartment block in a green lung in Mellieha, which was given the go-ahead b

By: independent.com.mt

Jan 11 2025
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Mellieha Local Council appeals

Mayor Gabriel Micallef said in a Facebook post that the Local Council's decision to appeal followed legal advice taken from their lawyer Dr Claire Bonello, and after thorough discussions among council members.

Last November, the three-person PA board dismissed concerns raised by the Mellieha Local Council and residents about the project's impact on the community's quality of life.

The board unanimously approved the application by developers T&S Property Holdings, finding that the project was "in line with planning parameters."

Before the dispute between residents and authorities over plans for the plot ended, residents and NGO group Il-Kollettiv had taken to the streets protesting, demanding that the plans are scrapped as it would rob them of a rare urban green space.

Micallef, as well as Deputy Mayor Matthew Borg Cuschieri had backed residents' protests, with Micallef even calling on the Ombudsman to investigate the deal which allowed T&S emerging with the land's title, despite being outbid in the tender process.

Since the developers owned an adjacent piece of land, a right of first refusal allowed them to match the highest bid and take over the whole plot.

"With unanimous agreement, the council resolved to proceed with the appeal," Micallef said on Facebook.

He said that the Council "always" stands by its residents, aiming to safeguard their interests and the quality of life in Mellieħa.

"We take pride in listening to our community and will continue working for the benefit of all," Micallef said.Abela also spoke of the Malta Labour Migration Policy presented by government earlier this week.

"Gozitans first, with the best opportunities for them," Abela said. He also spoke of government's vision for Gozo to become Malta's first carbon-neutral region.