Planning Authority Approves Malta's First Crematorium as Cemetery Extension
In brief
- The Planning Authority has approved Malta's first crematorium at the Ta' Brija cemetery in Siġġiewi.
- The project was permitted as a cemetery extension, bypassing stricter planning policies required for standalone facilities.
- Former European Commissioner John Dalli strongly objected at the hearing, noting the development borders his family home.
The Planning Authority has approved the development of Malta's first crematorium in Siġġiewi, resolving to treat the proposal as an extension to the existing Ta' Brija cemetery.
By categorising the development as an addition to an established cemetery rather than a standalone facility, the planning board assessed the project under standard cemetery regulations, circumventing the more restrictive criteria established for independent crematoria.
The decision was approved despite heated objections raised during the board hearing by former European Commissioner and finance minister John Dalli, whose family residence is located adjacent to the site.
Dalli addressed the planning board directly, arguing that the crematorium would sit virtually in his back garden and questioning the lack of active intervention from the Environment and Resources Authority regarding environmental and health safeguards.
The outcome follows wider scrutiny regarding the handling of rival proposals. The Siġġiewi application, submitted in 2025, advanced through to full development permission, whereas an earlier proposal in Paola dating back to 2021 has so far secured only outline development consent and remains subject to additional technical assessments.
Although cremation was legalised in Malta several years ago, the absence of operational domestic facilities has meant that families seeking the service have had to arrange repatriations for cremations abroad.
The Spin Room
Medium media divide. Newsbook focused on the planning mechanics that allowed the permit to proceed, while The Shift News emphasised objections from John Dalli and procedural disparities with competing bids.
- Newsbook: Focused on the regulatory classification used by the Planning Authority, explaining how treating the site as a cemetery extension bypassed standalone rules.
- The Shift News: Emphasised the confrontation at the hearing involving John Dalli, questioning regulatory oversight and comparing the approval to older pending applications elsewhere.