The Planning Authority has once again deferred its decision on db Group’s proposal to add an additional six and seven floors to its City Centre development at St George’s Bay, Pembroke.
The decision was delayed since new documents about fewer apartments, following a court ruling on a different high-rise, were not yet shared with the public.
The postponement delays a final ruling on the significant expansion of the project, which is currently under construction on the former Institute for Tourism Studies (ITS) site.
Today’s meeting, which had previously been suspended, was meant to decide on the proposed amendments.
During the hearing, Perit Anton Valentino, speaking on behalf of Swieqi residents, said the Authority’s decision contradicts its own mission statement, which promises to safeguard residents’ quality of life. He also highlighted that approximately 60 per cent of public comments opposed the project, especially over traffic issues, but these concerns were “completely ignored” by the board.
He noted that Transport Malta had previously imposed conditions requiring infrastructure upgrades as part of an earlier permit, but that these conditions were later withdrawn.
Perit Valentino argued that the development now fails to comply with Transport Malta’s recommendations.
“Either the Planning Authority follows Transport Malta’s advice, or it doesn’t take it into account at all,” he said, warning that Sant Andrija Road is already heavily congested every morning and that the new towers would make the situation worse.
He questioned why both the case officer and the Planning Authority appeared to have disregarded Transport Malta’s position.
Suzanne Zahra, representing Pembroke residents, expressed frustration that locals have been “fighting the same permit for years.” She noted that the Planning Authority had received an unprecedented number of objections to the building’s increased height.
“Are we going to do this every four years – keep battling the same monstrosity?” she asked.
The project, currently under development, occupies a prime coastal location encompassing Wesgħet George Portanier, Triq il-Profs Walter Ganado, Triq Pietru D’Armenia in Pembroke, and ix-Xatt ta’ San Ġorġ and Triq Joseph Zammit in St Julian’s. Excavation and construction works began in October 2024.
The db City Centre project already includes major components such as the Hard Rock Hotel Malta, St George’s Mall, and the Ora Residences. The additional floors are expected to further enhance the development’s scale and residential offering within the St George’s Bay area.
