Keith Schembri’s Company Is Heading Design Of St Julian’s Property Long Accused Of Breaching Planning Permits
A development project in Balluta Bay having long been criticised for breaching planning laws is being “designed and styled” by Keith Schembri’s LOFT Designs.
The façade of the old townhouse has been retained. However, an imposing back-end structure has radically changed the appearance of Balluta Bay. The property is located right next door to the popular bay restaurant, Barracuda.
The home-turned-office-block has extended beyond its original footprint jutting out onto the bay, with AD Chairperson Carmel Capacardo laying into authorities for lacking the political will to protect the coast.
The project has courted controversy in the past.
In May 2018, the Environment Resources Authority stopped works on the site after the bay was repeatedly polluted with construction materials.
LOFT Designs is co-owned by the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff and his wife Josette. Meanwhile, the development in question is being led by Michael Stivala, the Secretary-General of the Malta Developer’s Association.
The Planning Authority has so far approved three permits for the site, with a fourth, looking to convert all of the residences in the block to office space, currently on hold.
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