Letters | Sunday, 22 November 2009

PRINT THIS ARTICLE

Protecting the Portomaso entrenchment wall

Portomaso development is built behind the protected Spinola-Dragonara entrenchment wall at St Julian’s. When the original permits were issued years ago, the developers had proposed to also build apartments in front of the entrenchment wall next to the Cavalier Hotel. But this part of the development proposals was rejected by MEPA because it would hide the historic wall, which can today be seen and enjoyed by the general public from as away as the Sliema tower.
The same company which built over 500 apartments on the already over-developed site instead of the 250 units applied for originally, has now applied under development permit application PA04096/08 for a permit to build another 50 units right in front of the entrenchment wall in the same location that was originally refused by MEPA. Such development would obliterate the historic wall from public view.
In a recent issue of the Times, MEPA published the advert in the series ‘One World’, showing the entrenchment wall and describing it as a protected monument. In fact the entrenchment wall from Spinola Bay to St George’s Bay was listed as a Grade 2 protected building on the 26 August 2008, and the relative notices were affixed to the wall at St George’s Road.
MEPA is therefore duty-bound to ensure the protection of this wall, and such protection must ensure that no buildings are allowed to be constructed between the wall and the foreshore. MEPA must place the interest of the cultural heritage monuments that belong to the community before the interest of developers.

Ingrid Serge Ratcliffe
Portomaso, St Julian’s

Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below.
Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.

All the interviews from Reporter on MaltaToday's YouTube channel.

EDITORIAL


Power to the people

---

MT Surveys

Robert Arrigo ‘most wanted’ for minister

Cabinet thrives, but Fenech and Gatt hit rock bottom

Bleak times – depression at the Grand Harbour

Budget 2010 – Raise taxes or cut benefits?

FREE FALL

So near and yet so different

Only 35% will be taking a holiday this summer

The wiser, grey pound

Shopping in the City

Corned beef? a matter of class

Labour poised for absolute majority

Turnout drops to 79%

Labour Party heading for absolute majority

EU MEMBERSHIP – FIVE YEARS LATER

---

INTERVIEW


No more ‘nirrangaw’

Restaurant review by Moniqie Chambers

The road to Manderlay

Ain’t no mountain high enough