Construction works on a farmhouse in Xewkija, Gozo, which Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife Lydia intend to convert into a guesthouse for tourism accommodation, are in full swing despite no permit having been issued by the Planning Authority.
Residents living next to the prime minister’s farmhouse in Triq Mġarr Ix-Xini told The Shift that contractors have been working on site for the past weeks.
They also said Lydia Abela, the prime minister’s wife, has regularly inspected the works with architect Joe Cassar.
A visit to the site by The Shift this week confirmed that structural and construction works are indeed ongoing despite the Planning Authority not yet approving the guesthouse permit.
According to a notice placed outside the farmhouse by ALDB & Associates – the company overseeing Health and Safety rules during the ongoing construction – the works quote PA01881/23 as the permit for works to be carried out. Yet, this application is still under consideration.
The onsite information also lists Ray Vella as the site manager responsible for the ongoing works being carried out by John Vella as the lead contractor.
Sign placed on the PM’s farmhouse quotes a permit that is still pending.
The Shift is informed that the latter is an employee of Vella Brothers Ready-Mix Limited, better known as ‘Tal-Malla’ from Xewkija. They have received a number of government direct orders during the past years, particularly on large public works projects in Gozo.
No commencement date was listed on the sign outside the prime minister’s farmhouse – the section was left blank. This is in breach of the law.
Robert and Lydia Abela have been owning this farmhouse for several years. In 2012, they applied for a permit to convert it into a four-bedroom residence with a large outdoor pool.
No work was carried out, and the permit had to be renewed in 2017.
Side view of the PM’s farmhouse in Xewkija, Gozo.
Again, no work commenced. In 2021, during Abela’s first year in office, Lydia Abela applied to convert the farmhouse into a large seven-double-bedroom residence.
After The Shift flagged this change, indicating the plans showed the prime minister intends to build a boutique hotel using a ‘residential’ application to avoid paying higher fees for commercial developments, Mrs Abela again submitted fresh plans, now as a guesthouse.
According to the new plans, the Abelas applied to excavate the land beneath their farmhouse to include a sprawling garden, an internal pool, spa, wine cellar and other facilities related to tourism accommodation.
Any doubts that the relevant permits will be issued in the coming days?
The “Ian Borg” fiasco all over again. The low grade politicians can do what they like and get away with it.
La poplu gwejjef.
Ian Borg’s swimming pool, Robert Abela’s guest house. Who needs lawful permits when you’re the boss?
Ablea zviluppatur iehor! U mhux ovja li mhux ser ikun hemm kontrol f dan s settur! Ilni nghid u hekk hu!.,imma lil poplu bellawielu li dal bini ghalih, ghal ekonomija sahhitha w gwejjed poplu qghad kwiet.
Bogans remain bogans despite drowning in wealth which they earned or earn in cash or kind licitly or illicitly, however karmas exempt no one.
May the karmas knock on all the doors of the Abelas when least expected.
It seems that the P M dose not need a permit for his house,( VOLIO-POSSO-FACO).Your Time will come, and you will have to pay for it.BIG TIME
As ever one set of rules for “ them” and another set for everyone else.
Democracy at its best!!
Nahseb kollox bl ircevuti se jhallashom
These lejber politicians made themselves gods. They have to keep in mind that they have stolen the election and secondly they represent the gahan for favours.
40k majority is not a joke guz!!!!
That doesn’t mean that they can do what they like ,They should be the first to see that they abide with the country’s laws.
They have received a number of government direct orders during the past years, particularly on large public works projects in Gozo.
So we can presume this work will be done free ( tax payers to pay via direct orders) or very cheaply? Just asking for a friend.
BUSINESS DONE PUTIN STYLE!!!
Mhux ghalekk nghidu li l huta Minn rasha tinten.
They are above the law – they are integratal members of the Untouchable corrupt circle!!!
A corrupt circle will be MLP/PN together smile.
But why put the two parties into the same basket? Have we ever heard of the obscenities of the present Got during the Nats Administrations?
There is no such thing as two parties anymore, they are all the same all over the world.
Thus is why these people choose to be politicians so they can do whatever they want and fatten their bank acc, laws dont count fir these people, as someone already said when you the boss who’s going to stop you ? The only thing to stop them is us the stupid poeple who keep giving them the chance to do so, speaking for me I haven’t done so twice.
Imma kif jistghu jibqghu jsiru dawn l affarijiet ??!!
Mhux bhall l Applikazzjoni tieghi ila imhallsa min Nov ta 2022 . Semplici change of use . MIN 4 D BIEX ISIR OFFICE . Ghada pending . IVVOTAW CWIECC .
Billi ma nivvotawx mhux SE jsolvu l-problema, anzi dawn l-affarijiet aktar jiggravaw. Nivvotaw b’mohhna, il-korrotti hemm bzonn jitwarrbu la ma teziztix il-kultura tar-rizenji meta qed jinkixfu l-iskandli.
It’s the same everywhere why should it be any different in Malta. One rule for them and another for the people, aka peons.
And, these politicians are paid by our taxes a certain amount each year but they all end up being millionaires. I wonder why, (sarcasm in case you don’t get it.) Look at their net worth before getting in office and when there time is up. That tells you everything
It’s a foregone conclusion that the Prime Minestra will get his permit and anything else he demands. As long as the “gahan marmalja” remain uneducated sheep the Junta leader and his cohorts will keep on doing whatever they want and keep on lining their deep pockets