Wedding halls in the countryside

Abstract

The accompanying photo is an example of the encroachment and spillover of commercial activities in rural areas in Malta. Planning application PA 04019/07 sought ‘full development’ permission for the change of use of a 50 to 60-person conference hall (approved through PA 1438/05) to a multi-function hall to cater for conferences and receptions, including wedding receptions. The site lies at the foot of the Saqqajja Hill, Rabat, where the wedding hall approved in 2014 triggered the development of a parking area in a predominantly rural context, besides increasing in building’s footprint of almost 200m2 over two floors. The approval came after the dissenting voices of the Environment Protection Department, Din l-Art Ħelwa and the Light Pollution Awareness Group were largely sidelined.