Plans to construct a luxury hotel on Comino have survived a major hurdle after a tribunal ruled against an appeal by seven NGOs.

The hotel, part of the Six Senses brand, will replace the derelict Comino hotel and adjacent tourist bungalows. It is being spearheaded by HV Hospitality, a subsidiary of Hili Ventures.

The project is still awaiting a Planning Authority permit but it has been green-lighted by the Environment and Resources Authority.

Seven NGOs – BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, and Ramblers’ Association of Malta – had appealed ERA’s decision, warning legal loopholes could allow the tourist bungalows to become permanent residences.

However, the tribunal threw out their complaints and the decision was welcomed by HV Hospitality.

“HV Hospitality envisions Six Senses Comino as an eco-luxury destination that meets Malta’s tourism ambitions for today and tomorrow,” a statement by the business group read.

“After various iterations, the company is confident that the right balance has been struck and its goal remains to deliver a project that will make Malta proud. It now looks forward to the Planning Authority’s decision.”

“The project is being proposed on an 8,244 sqm smaller footprint than the existing buildings – a reduction equivalent to more than 30 tennis courts. Public accessibility would be improved since the buildings at the bungalow site would be receded from the foreshore and would also be lower in height.”

Lovin Malta last year visited Comino to speak to the people behind project and you can watch our feature below.