The Ghajnsielem Local Council has said that it will be making an objection with the Planning Authority against the proposed application for the Comino Hotel and Bungalows development – PA/4777/20.

In a statement, the Local Council said that it was invited for a presentation in August 2021 as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and the following areas of concern were raised:

1. All existing public areas and boat-mooring facilitates in Santa Marija bay must remain public and fully accessible;

2. Problems related with waste management;

3. Upgrade of public amenities should be integrated as part of this development including that of the police station, the public convenience and installation of shading devices near public amenities;

4. Alternative technologies suitable to the local environment should be considered for road access while retaining their rural nature.

The Ghajnsielem Local council stressed that it is “not against the upgrading of the existing hotel and bungalows” and also noted the “extensive landscaping, improved visual amenity of the proposal and the investment in a new sewage treatment facility.”

On Friday, HV Hospitality issued a statement saying that the project for a new Comino hotel is to comprise of 71 suites and 19 serviced bungalows, and will feature a spa, dining spaces and one mini shop of 39 square metres.

The company also said that “the hotel and serviced bungalows will be operated as one touristic offering and no bungalows will be sold to third parties.”

However, the Local Council said that it is concerned about the “possibility of having long-term residences on the island (through sales or long-term rentals) which would change the whole scope and definition of the project from a tourist-oriented one into a speculative real-estate development.”

The Council stated that “it would certainly open the door for the intensification and urbanisation of Comino beside creating logistical problems and creating the need for further ancillary facilities and services to support this type of residences on the island.”

The Ghajnsielem Local Council added that it is also concerned about the increase in the number of bungalows being proposed.

“This certainly goes against the basic principles of safeguarding our natural and environmental heritage especially considering the sensitivity and the ecological importance of the area which is a Natura 2000 site,” it said.

The Ghajnsielem Local Council said that it will therefore make a formal objection on the development as proposed on PA/4777/20. The closing date for objections is Monday.

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