Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has today formally requested MEPA to invoke Article 39A in order to rescind permit no. 05673/06 which requests the internal demolition and reconstruction of a fine old townhouse, one of an untouched row of seven in Windsor terrace, one of Sliema’s finest streets having Specific Conservation Importance.  MEPA’s Heritage Advisory Committee had recommended against this permit, which was also refused by the MEPA Directorate, refused by the DCC, and refused again by the Case Officer at Reconsideration stage, but it was finally granted by the DCC committee at Reconsideration, just days before the ratification of the Local Plan which it violates.  The project runs counter to all norms of urban conservation, and FAA maintains that the DCC C Reconsideration ruling is highly irregular, for which reason the environment group is asking for invocation of Article 39A.

This is the sort of permit which will cause MEPA to be blamed by future generations for the ruination of beautiful and characteristic parts of the Malta ’s village cores, betraying its claimed mission to: “place our energies in, to protect, care for and improve...the cultural and architectural heritage, towns and villages, the countryside, the seas and air. We believe that together we should carefully plan so that our heritage, this gem which we treasure, will not fade away.”  Next week MEPA is to consider the Full Development application on this site; the granting of this permit would be a further nail in the coffin of MEPA’s credibility as the guardian of Malta ’s architectural heritage.

Click here to view further details on this case

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar
11th July 2008