Three towers, 44-storey high, proposed on reclaimed land near former Jerma hotel

Two residential towers, one of 44 and another of 32 storeys, together with a 22 storey hotel are being proposed on 25,000 square metres of reclaimed land in the vicinity of the existing Jerma hotel, which is proposed for demolition.

This emerges from plans submitted last week to the Planning Authority by Porto Notos Ltd, a company owned by Charles Camilleri, known as il-Franciz, and lawyer Pierre Lofaro.  

If approved the application will result in the obliteration of part of the existing rocky shoreline and the complete makeover of the existing natural peninsula. 

The site of the existing Jerma hotel will make way for a perched beach, some commercial development and a public park.

Two residential towers, one of 44 and another of 32 storeys, and a 22 storey hotel are proposed on reclaimed land

The proposal also includes a large lagoon which will have its own artificial beach and promenade area.  

A public promenade and commercial development is also proposed all around the reclaimed area. There would be a public park on part of the existing Jerma site and the undeveloped area around San Tumas tower.

Marsaskala was not one of the sites identified for high-rise development but was one of the 21 sites proposed for land reclamation in 2013. 

The planning application by Porto Notos Limited was presented on 23 September. The plans also envisage the construction of a breakwater, the re-routing of the public road and extension of a landscaped area around the St Thomas Tower.

The site presently occupied by the derelict Jerma Palace Hotel has been valued by a court expert at €20.8 million. A judicial sale by auction planned for this month was “suspended”, according to the justice services website. The sale was ordered by the court in an ongoing case instituted by HSBC Bank Malta against brothers Geoffrey and Peter Montebello’s firm.  

In the application, Porto Notos’s Camilleri declares that his company does not own the land in question but had the consent of the owners when presenting the application. The number of storeys included in the high-rise blocks is not identified in the application, which is still at the preliminary stage.

According to a government spokesperson, the Government Property Division (GPD) has not yet issued clearance for a planning application which includes land reclamation on the coastal area next to the Jerma site.

A large lagoon, including a private beach is also being proposed on the Jerma site

Developers are legally obliged to notify the government of their intentions whenever they do so on public land and the government has to issue a clearance stating that it does not object to the development in principle.  

Marsascala mayor Mario Calleja has already expressed himself in favour of the development of luxury apartments in the area but insists that the local council will only pronounce its position on the proposed development after the matter is formally discussed at a council meeting. 

The Marsascala local council has also voted against a proposal by PN councillor Charlot Cassar, urging the government to buy back the site and turn it into an open space for the public to enjoy. The motion was seconded by the Labour deputy mayor, Desiree Attard.