The beautiful European country where locals fear it will become a 'concrete jungle'

The historic island could be packed with high-rises if new planning laws are approved, activists say (Image: Getty)

Plans to unleash more "building frenzy" on the Mediterranean island of Malta could turn the holiday destination into a "concrete jungle", opposition campaigners have warned. A construction boom that has seen over a quarter of the country already built on could be emboldened further by new planning legislation that would make it easier for developers to push new projects through. Campaigners have argued that the crowding of Malta's historic structures, some of which date back to 3600 BC, with high-rise apartment blocks has already disfigured the isle, with further construction risking destroying its renowned heritage altogether.

Two bills introduced shortly before parliament's summer recess would make it significantly more difficult to appeal against new projects, allowing fines of up to €5,000 to be levied against people lodging "vexatious" complaints. The legislation would also make it harder for courts to oppose permits and hand Malta's politically appointed planning authority discretionary powers to override existing laws and deliver the final verdict on developments.

A 'building blitz' has seen high-rise apartment blocks spring up across the country (Image: Getty)

"There is a building frenzy on Malta and if these bills become law, there will be no more limits on what developers can do," Patrick Calleja, president of the heritage charity Din l-Art Helwa, told The Times.

"Tourists don't come to Malta to see modern buildings," he added. "Our identity as a nation is closely linked to villages and to [capital city] Valetta. But it does not look like that is a priority the government wants to acknowledge."

The country's development rate is markedly higher than the European Union average, where construction covers an average 4.4% of available land.

Local officials' "building frenzy" in Valetta recently prompted a UNESCO committee to single the tiny city out as "a cause for concern", warning that existing planning policies "not not sufficiently safeguard" its world heritage status, and urging the government to rethink its rules for tall buildings in the area.

The historic Fort Chambray could be turned into luxury housing (Image: Getty)

Johann Buttigieg, head of Malta's planning authority, previously described his vision for the country as a "city island".

The approach, and proposed legislative changes, have also exacerbated concerns that Fort Chambray, an 18th-century colonial barracks on Gozo, just off Malta, will be demolished for a luxury residential complex.

"It appears lawyers have collected all the court cases the planning authority has lost and written these laws to ensure the authority will win them in the future," Vicki Ann Cremona, president of the legal watchdog Repubblika, said.

"It's very Machiavellian. Former Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said he wanted Malta to become Singapore and that is where we are heading, with high rises everywhere."

The Government of Malta has been contacted for comment.