Eight-Storey, 362-Bed Care Home in Mosta Faces Final Planning Vote

A 25-metre-high, eight-storey care home for 362 elderly residents goes before Malta's Planning Authority this Friday. The case officer has already recommended approval. Residents of Mosta are fighting it.

The proposed development on Triq il-Farinal, in the Sgħajtar area, would replace an existing house with a building containing 156 bedrooms. Despite objections from residents, environmental organisations and the Mosta Local Council, the project has been recommended for approval subject to a €113,300 planning gain contribution towards public open spaces.

What does the proposal include?

The numbers define the dispute. The building would rise eight storeys, or 25 metres, and house around 362 elderly residents in 156 bedrooms. The plans allocate just 58 parking spaces against a calculated requirement of 180 — a shortfall of 122 spaces, roughly two-thirds below what the assessment demands.

Eldercare Ltd, the developer, is owned by Frank Spiteri.

Why are residents objecting?

Residents describe Sgħajtar as a predominantly residential neighbourhood. They argue the scale of the building does not belong there. Their concerns extend beyond height to traffic, privacy, natural light and the parking deficit.

One resident who contacted Lovin Malta challenged comparisons between the project and the Paola Hub. The Paola facility, the resident argued, sits in an already developed area and operates as a health centre rather than a long-term residential facility — a materially different use.

The objections are not only local. An earlier visual assessment identified significant negative impacts from several viewpoints around the site. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage raised concerns about the building's height and prominence.

What happens on Friday?

The Planning Authority will make its final decision at this Friday's hearing. The case officer's recommendation of approval, with the €113,300 contribution attached, currently stands. Residents say they hope their objections will be heard before the Authority rules.

The takeaway

A 362-bed facility with 68% fewer parking spaces than required, recommended for approval over the objections of a local council and the cultural heritage watchdog, now rests on a single Planning Authority vote on Friday.