PA says it is still to decide on demolition historic St Julian’s building

The Planning Authority said yesterday that it had still to decide on an application for the demolition of one of the oldest houses in St Julian’s.

The PA’s planning directorate has recommended the demolition of the townhouse located on St Julian’s Hill, more commonly known as itTelgħa tal-Kirxa. The proposal would see the building demolished and replaced by a 10room guest house.

A decision is expected on 28 February.

A number of heritage groups have appealed to the PA to save the historic building. Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) has told the PA that the building in question is an early townhouse “attributing to St Julian’s historic heritage and distinctiveness and should be protected by virtue of its inherent value.”

The Sliema Local Council is also against the development due to concerns of over-development in the area, and has requested that the building adhere to the twofloor height limit established in the urban conservation area (UCA) regulations.

The Sliema Heritage Society, which has also objected to the development, wrote on social media that “the proposed destruction of what is one of Sliema-St Julian’s oldest buildings along the historic Telgħa tal-Kirxa has been recommended for approval after heritage NGOs representations were dismissed as invalid. The application will see the complete demolition of this lovely building (the façades of which can be easily preserved) and the construction of a pseudo-vernacular replacement with two extra floors and use as guest house.

“Another barbaric case of destruction in the name of tourism. Very disappointing of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage to endorse this... our society will fight this to the end, whilst pushing for more scheduling of threatened historic sites.”

The Design Advisory Committee and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage did not object to the proposed development.

The PA yesterday clarified that a final decision had not yet been taken.