A new planning policy aimed at encouraging the upgrading of existing hotels in tourism zone areas has recently been approved by the MEPA Board and can now start being utilised to give Malta’s tourism industry an edge in a highly competitive and volatile international tourism market.

The policy, which had been issued for public consultation at the end of last year, has introduced a relaxation of the current height limitations, allowing hotels an additional two storeys above the height limitation of the area.

This policy applies solely to tourism areas within development zones which are outside Urban Conservation Areas or Residential Priority Areas and each case will be treated separately as contexts may vary.

MEPA Chairman Perit Vincent Cassar said, “we proposed this policy after becoming aware that certain subsidiary planning policies were restricting the amelioration and development of the Maltese tourism product, especially in light of the current economic challenges and the highly competitive international tourism market.”

Perit Cassar added “Planning policies, while fully respecting the statutory environmental and health thresholds, should be there to anticipate and accommodate the changing socio economic climate.”

The policy stipulates that while it encourages the relaxation of the height limitation, the ‘volume’ (total area occupied by the hotel) however should remain the same even if this would mean shifting towards a higher building rather than occupying a larger area.

The Tourism Areas whereby this policy is applicable include the localities of Mellieha, St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, St Julians/Paceville, Sliema, Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Birzebbugia, Marsalforn, Xlendi and Mgarr in Gozo.

These areas tend to have a higher development density than other areas within the developable zones by virtue of generally higher maximum permissible height limitations as indicated in the approved Local Plans.

The policy document is available online and can be accessed from the Supplementary Planning Guidance section within the Authority’s website http://www.mepa.org.mt.

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