Planning Authority: Jerma land reclamation and high-rise a ‘non-starter’

The Planning Authority, through a screening letter, will be informing the applicant of a proposed development project which includes the construction of three high-rise buildings on the site of the former Jerma Hotel in Marsacala, that the project as presented is a non-starter. 

Although over the past months, the Authority held several pre-submission meetings with the developer and clearly indicated that the project as presented was not acceptable, the developer still decided to forge ahead with the same proposal. 

The proposed project, which to date has not been validated, includes the development of two residential high rise buildings and one hotel tower constructed over the existing peninsula and reclaimed land. The proposed development also includes a 5,500m2 lagoon and over 2,500m2 of commercial space. 

The architect's plan of the three towers proposed on the former Jerma site

Some weeks back, the Planning Authority had issued an enforcement notice on the site of the former Jerma Palace Hotel. The Authority had noted that this site, in a prominent location, had been left abandoned and in disarray for years resulting in becoming an injury to amenity.

The plans were 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 project 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. 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 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.  

Porto Notos does not own the land in question but had the consent of the owners when presenting the application. 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.

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.