A 10-storey, 93-room hotel has been approved in Paceville despite concerns over its impact on nearby protected heritage buildings.According to Malta Today, the development, planned for the corner of Sqaq Lourdes and Triq Santu Wistin, will replace an existing villa and include five basement levels, a rooftop pool and other hotel facilities.The site sits close to the Grade 2-listed St Rita Chapel and St Augustine’s Convent, as well as the Grade 1-listed Villa Rosa.Heritage NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa had warned that the project could undermine the visual setting of the protected properties.However, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage noted that the historic context of the area had already been substantially altered by existing and approved large-scale developments. It concluded that the new hotel would not noticeably increase the impact on the convent or its surroundings.The Planning Authority’s case officer similarly concluded that the proposal would not create a significant adverse visual impact, pointing to an already urbanised skyline containing other large tourism developments.The hotel will also provide just nine parking spaces despite planning policy requiring 29. The developer will instead pay €146,000 through the Commuted Parking Payment Scheme to cover the 20-space shortfall.The approved hotel will rise close to the existing 12-storey Hyatt Regency Malta, which was itself approved in 2018 despite objections at the time.What do you think about this project?•