The Planning Authority (PA) has issued a statement defending its decision to approve a five-storey elderly home in the heart of Żabbar, following strong criticism from the local council and Żabbar mayor Jorge Grech.
The Authority said the development – located at Misraħ tal-Madonna Medjatriċi and Triq Ġanni Bonavia, directly facing the parish church – was assessed in line with the South Malta Local Plan and relevant national policies, emphasising that the project “does not exceed permitted height limitations” and retains the existing façade.
PA: Proposal complies with local plan height limit
Responding to public objections and the mayor’s comments, the PA noted that the revised proposal is capped at 17.5 metres, which is the maximum height permitted for the site.
Earlier in the process, the applicant had sought to build seven storeys by applying the height adjustment policy for retirement homes. The Planning Commission, however, found that the initial design did not sufficiently integrate with the urban context and asked the applicant to revise the plans. This led to a downscaled development of five storeys, which the PA said aligns with the established local plan.
The Authority added that the project will retain the current façade while replacing the existing two-storey structure with a new elderly home including a basement car park, chapel, dining area, service rooms, and 32 residential units accommodating 73 residents.
During Tuesday’s meeting, architect James Bonnici Camilleri presented updated visuals and clarified that the proposal respects both the height parameters and the surrounding built environment. The Planning Commission responsible for developments within the development zone unanimously approved the case officer’s recommendation.
The PA statement reiterates that technical assessments across traffic, heritage, and design concluded that the proposal “does not have an adverse impact on the context of the square,” which includes the Żabbar Sanctuary Museum, Notre Dame Hall, and the parish church.
Council and mayor objected strongly to the project
The Żabbar Local Council had opposed the application “from day one,” arguing that a five-storey structure on the village square would overshadow traditional three-storey buildings and alter the character of one of the locality’s most historically significant spaces.
Architect Nathaniel Sammut, speaking for the council earlier this week, warned that the development lies at the border of the Urban Conservation Area and risks “confusing the setting and architectural language of the square.” He also raised concerns about traffic congestion caused by a basement car ramp on the narrow Triq Ġanni Bonavia.
Mayor Jorge Grech later escalated his criticism in a strongly worded social media post, calling the project “horrific” and saying the locality had been “raped” by the approval. He argued that the development would “permanently erase the identity and character of our city” and criticised the lack of parking provision for staff and visitors. He also warned that existing policies could allow two additional floors to be added in future.
The local council has its own long-term plan – in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Malta – to convert Dar Sagra Familja, a children’s home on the same square, into an elderly home. Grech argued that building two elderly homes in the same limited area would be “unsustainable”.
