Sliema Residents Furious Over ‘Illegal’ Multi-Storey Construction ‘Hidden In Plain Sight’
A multi-storey building in Sliema is being allegedly constructed without the necessary permits, and residents, along with the environmental NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, are calling for immediate action.
The site, located at along Triq il-Lunzjata and Triq ix-Xatt, is approved for just nine storeys under permits PA 3533/13 and PA 6534/16. However, the NGO have accused developers of going ahead and adding four extra floors despite having no approval for these changes.
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar has flagged this alleged abuse, pointing out that the developers are using plans submitted under a new application, PA 3229/23, which is still pending review.
Despite the lack of approval, construction continues aggressively, with reports of work even taking place on Sundays.
Carlo Stivala is listed as the applicant for all related permits, with Falzon & Cutajar acting as the project’s architects. Residents have raised concerns with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), but so far, the work has not been stopped.
According to Times of Malta, Stivala denies breaking the law, saying critics compared the unfinished building to an older one next to it and incorrectly calculated his development’s height.
“It’s outrageous that this kind of abuse is allowed to happen, hidden in plain sight,” Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar said. “Why have the authorities not stepped in to halt this illegal construction?”
The NGO is calling on the relevant authorities to immediately put a stop to the construction, launch an investigation into how this was allowed to happen, and hold those responsible to account. They also stress the importance of stronger regulatory enforcement to prevent similar abuses in the future.
“This isn’t just about one building,” Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar added. “It’s about the integrity of Malta’s urban planning system.”
“Unauthorised developments like this erode trust in the system and degrade our urban environment.”
Residents and advocates are now watching closely to see whether the authorities will act decisively to rectify this situation or allow the alleged abuse to continue unchecked.
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