When is too much simply too much? – FAA

“We are tired of seeing skewed interpretations of policies making way for development at all cost with rows of old townhouses characteristic of Malta being erased in front of our very eyes. It can’t go on this way without their being serious repercussions. When will the authorities accept that too much is simply too much?… Our constant fear is that the Planning Authority’s habit of inconsistency will prevail and for some reason the same observations quoted in the original refusal for the Villa Priuli will be altogether disregarded and somehow another monstrous development approved, adding to the ongoing onslaught of our heritage.”

This was the harsh response of Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar to The Malta Independent on Sunday questions regarding the proposed redevelopment of Villa Priuli, one of the last remain sprawling classic villas in Spinola. The project is being proposed by Paceville entertainment entrepreneur, Hugo Chetcuti.

“FAA maintains that scheduled properties must always be treated in the most sensitive manner to ensure that any project undertaken does not result in its demolition or mutilation. This property stands as an architectural jewel attributing to the character of this picturesque bay. Any interventions that do not respect the original fabric and its proportions would not only destroy the aesthetic sense of this building itself but permanently disfigure the character of the surrounding area and could under no circumstances be considered acceptable.”

We prodded the environmental NGO about their specific concerns of the proposed redevelopment. “A previous proposal for redevelopment was turned down on multiple grounds by the Planning Authority only last year. The reasons for refusal listed by the Planning Authority in the original application referred to by this newspaper prove that policies in favour of heritage preservation do exist and can be observed by the authority when chosen to,” FAA elaborated.

Sharpening their doubts FAA noted that, “a growing number of applications for inaptly named ‘conversions’ of similar Grade 2 Scheduled properties resulting in their total obliteration with the large extents of their interiors being gutted and their external proportions lost with the approved addition of 5 or 6 floors towering above. Such interventions can hardly be considered sensible for what should be a protected building.”

Asked point blank what they think should happen to the property, FAA declared that in all cases, “the property must be preserved and any interventions carried out be sensible to both its original fabric and its volumetric characteristics.”

FAA’s criticism of the project comes hot on the heels of the position expressed by the Civil Society Network when The Malta Independent on Sunday broke the story. They argued that, “should the current proposal be approved by authorities, this would be a case of bad governance. We therefore object to current plans.”

Din l-Art Helwa, another environmental NGO, also expressed acute doubts about the project. Giving us their comments declared that they, “can only hope that this villa is restored sensitively and given a suitable re-use that respects its architecture and values.”

However, in line with all the other NGOs they added, “we are concerned about the increasing lack of respect for heritage buildings where, with the pretext of retaining the façade, gutting the interior has become common practice. Too much of Malta’s heritage is being lost to insensitive re-development, and we can only hope that the new owner of Villa Priuli will lead by example and show that respecting heritage ultimately pays off.”

This newsroom sent questions and tried to contact Chetcuti to ask him about this project but he never replied to our questions.