The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) Board approved the full development permission for the extension of the Seabank Hotel in Mellieha.

The development which will increase the hotel’s accommodation facilities to a total of 492 rooms, will mainly include the extension of wing along the Bypass leading down to the Mellieha promenade. The MEPA board imposed a bank guarantee of €100,000 to ensure that all works are carried out in accordance with strict environment and planning conditions, while it also obliged the developer to pay a Planning Gain of €150,000, which will go towards projects that promote our national cultural and natural heritage. 

MEPA Chairman Mr Austin Walker said ‘that although the extension for this development impinges on land which is outside the development boundaries, the board is satisfied with the recommendations given by both the environment and planning directorate, that key principles of sustainable development are being met.’ He added ‘that this development is respecting the current height limitation of the existing hotel and is within the restrained area permitted by the North West Local Plan.’ 

The MEPA board also approved the removal of policies within the Structure Plan which were either procedural in nature or have been rendered redundant by the MEPA reform.