Construction magnate Joseph Portelli is targeting another rural site for development, this time the small and relatively untouched hamlet of Wardija, drawing hundreds of objections and an outright condemnation by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA).
Disguised under the name of Kurt Polidano, one of his employees, Portelli, through his architect Marisa Schembri Grima – until a while ago the government’s Chair of the Building and Construction Agency – is proposing to knock down an old vernacular farmhouse in Wardija hill, excavate the whole area, including fields, and erect on ODZ land, a building of garages, apartments and maisonettes with pools and jacuzzis.
The proposal, which the Planning Authority is still reviewing, has raised the ire of hundreds of objectors, calling Portelli’s latest attempt “horrendous” and “monstrous” and further degradation to Malta’s dwindling cultural and rural heritage.
In one of the strongest objections ever, ERA called upon the Planning Authority to ensure that the project does not materialise, labeling it objectionable on all fronts.
In its preliminary assessment, ERA said the proposal is “an environmental concern”.

The government’s environmental agency said that if Portelli is allowed to do this project, it would result in an extensive take-up of undeveloped agricultural land, site formalisation, and soil sealing.
It also stated that the project, as proposed, would result in the fragmentation of the site into 10 small parcels and would be incompatible with the surrounding rural and unspoiled areas.
ERA also objected to the uprooting of carob trees, which go back hundreds of years.
The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage also denounced Portelli’s plans, but was less categorical.
Leaving the door open to a possible permit, the Superintendence stated that while the current plans did not align with the sensitivity of the area, it would still consider its position if the plans were revised.
At the same time, the Superintendence stated that the farmhouse is over 100 years old and features many rare elements that require protection and conservation.
The St Paul’s Bay local council, together with hundreds of objectors, mostly residents, have condemned Portelli’s latest plans.
The developer has become synonymous with the degradation of the Islands’ landscape over the past few years, particularly in Gozo, where tens of old townhouses, mostly in village cores, have been demolished to be turned into large blocks of small apartments.
Closely connected to the highest echelons of the Labour government and a donor to the two main political parties, Portelli developed close contacts in all areas related to the issue of planning permits and the construction industry.
Portelli is also allowed to do as he pleases with impunity, including through the illegal use of government property, such as a quarry in Kercem, Gozo, which he turned into an unlawful batching plant – that continues to be used by the government for its projects.
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At this rate, the next sites targeted for developement would be……………………….the cemeterys.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Portelli’s next target is Auberge de Castille!
No need; he already controls it where it matters to him
He can do whatever he wants because he is not alone. He has big heads in business with him! He just show his name. Ghawdex hu w erba ohra sehtuh jaqbdek il-biki tara dak il-bini enormi fl irhula w hadd ma jaghmel xejn! Kullhadd sieket!! Poplu jaqq. Imma basta tisma xi ghageb jghidlek Ghawdex sabih! U le le! Ghawdex kien sabih! Joseph Muscat kien qalilna li meta jkun Prim Ministru Ghawdex ghal 3 sulari biss johrogu l-permessi!! Iva hekk gara l istess! U dal bini kollu biex isiru erba min nies miljunarji w min qed jiddejjen biex jakwista l imbarazz li qed jibnu biex jikrihom ghax minghalih ser isir sinjur zghir ghax hadd mhu qed joqghod fihom dawn l blokkok mbarazz li qed jibnu imma l aqwa li dal poplu sieket u rghib qalulu dan ghalik ghal ekonomija b sahhitha w l gahan tisimghu jirrepeti x ikun sema!
Imma dan il-giddieb tela fuq l kruha ta torri li bena hu w shabu ta l irjus kbar fejn qalilna li qatt ma bena w qatt mhu ser jibni fuq odz!! Ma kienx hawn xi hadd li bellahha hu?
He wants to destroy simply everywhere! STOP HIM!
Who is going to stop him? The big heads that are in business with him? Even the Perit that was on PA board was his architect and still is. People cannot get it yet! How do you think politicians made millions?? Why do you think no regulations and no policies in this sector? Why do you think that pa is letting everyone build as they want wherever they want being odz or not!? Why do you think that politicians treat this sector so at heart? Yeah because of the econmoy as they fed the gullible!!
A curse inflicted upon us by government which bows its head to him in homage and servility and which now wants to amend the laws to further enable the continued vandalization of the environment and to sweep away any last vestiges of public control over his destructive conduct, and those of other of his mates, in government and out of it. The way he has been allowed by government to destroy the once pEaceful and quaint village of Kercem is unforgiveable.
Kercem biss qered!!! L irhula kollha kruha jaqbdek il-biki!
True meaning of sacrilege.
Unf…..ing believable. Greed has become Malta’s current God!
This man’s greeD and vandalism enabled by coMpliant and spineless “authorities” have no limits.V