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James Debono
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has disregarded its own Heritage Advisory Committee by granting a permit for the demolition of three two storey traditional houses in Sliema’s urban conservation area
These will make the way for a five storey high block of 17 apartments, 4 penthouses, 32 parking spaces and an office.
The three houses are sited in the intersection between Cathedral and Saint Paul’s Street and are known for the historical value of their interior.
The houses date back to the late 19th century and contain various architectural features worthy of preservation. One of the houses includes a decorative hallway at ground floor and the staircase leading to the first floor incorporates a decorative wrought iron railing. The stairs leading to the first floor of the second house are of the dog-legged type having decorative supporting columns and decorative wrought iron railings.
Expressing her regret on MEPA’ decision to grant this permit, Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar spokesperson Astrid Vella described the interior of the houses as one “built in a uniquely grand and beatiful style likes of which do not survive elsewhere.”
The permit was issued on condition that the two staircases of both buildings are being dismantled and reused in the new development. The existing facades of the buildings fronting Cathedral Street and that of the corner house along St.Paul Street are to be retained and incorporated in the new development.
When asked to submit its views the Heritage Advisory Committee indicated that the proposed demolition is unacceptable and that these houses should not be touched but preserved.
“These are prestigious houses which form part of a series of row of houses all having the same height and style,” the HAC told MEPA.
The committee also considered the construction of 25 apartments and 30 garages as excessive in scale and “against the character of buildings within a UCA.”
The HAC also insisted that the height of the building should remain “two floors since the street still retains its original height and design.”
But MEPA ignored this recommendation by referring to “the previous commitment to the applicant in the initial consultation” which had to be honoured.
A similar application one block up on High Street has previously blocked, while this one was granted immediately.
“We cannot understand how the permit went through on this house when another one just a block away has been consistently refused,” the Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar spokesperson told MaltaToday.
The proposed development effects three separate dwellings fronting Cathedral Street. The first building used to form part of another house on the left hand side which was demolished before 1992 and replaced with a five-storey apartment block.
The second house effected with this development is situated at Cathedral Street corner with St. Paul Street. This consists of a two-storey traditional building in the form of a “palazzo” which includes an arched entrance door at ground floor flanked by two windows on each side and a closed timber balcony at first floor. The lower part of the facade was in a neglected and deteriorated state.
The third house which fronts St. Paul Street consists of of another two-storey traditional building.
The developers proposed the complete demolition of the third house and the internal demolition of the first two houses to make way for excavation works for a parking, and to construct four floors of apartments, a small office with overlying penthouse.
The applicant was required to deposit a bank guarantee of Lm 20,000 in favour of the Malta Environment Planning Authority to ensure compliance with the permit.
The area in which the development is located was only set at four floors in last August’s ratification of the Local Plans when this application was already submitted.
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