AD dubs hotel height relaxation policy ‘a mistake’ – AD

Alternattiva Demokratika has joined the chorus of criticism against government's decision to relax a policy related to height of hotels.

According to the new policy, hotels in certain localities may have their permissible height increased by two floors over and above what is permitted in the Local Plans.

"This requires being considered in more depth," AD acting chairman Carmel Cacopardo said.

"It is not correct to engage in piecemeal amendments of land use policy. It is also necessary to consider the impacts which this proposal will have on the resources consumed by the Tourism Industry."

Cacopardo said the tourism industry has a substantial impact on the consumption of water and energy which impact should be adequately measured in order to ascertain the sustainability or otherwise of the industry.

He argued that government's proposals will inevitably impact existing properties in the vicinity of hotels which will now have their height limitation relaxed such that the addition shadowing which will result will further reduce the possibility of making use of solar energy by those making use of these properties.

"This proposal is also discriminatory and may lead to other sectors in addition to tourism to insist that they too, as of right, should benefit as a result of the said height relaxation," Cacopardo said.

He urged government to consider its decision within a wider context which is not limited to tourism.