Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1055420
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 NOVEMBER 2018 NEWS JAMES DEBONO A 12-storey hotel on land owned by the Augustinian Or- der in Paceville is set for ap- proval despite the concerns of the Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage that the devel- opment "will dwarf" a sched- uled convent and the St Rita chapel "to detract it from its original context, further re- scinding the heritage value of the property". The development, proposed by Bay Street Holdings – whose owners include George Muscat of GAP Holdings and Paul Camilleri – is located in a residential buffer zone where buildings are limited to four storeys. The development is being recommended for approval by the Planning Directorate on the basis of a hotel heights policy approved in 2014. A fi- nal decision will be taken by the Planning Board on 6 De- cember. The project will take place on land rented out to the develop- ers by the Augustinian order. Augustinian Provincial Fr Les- lie Gatt had already justified renting their property in Pace- ville to Bay Street Holdings as a way through which the Order can fund its religious, social, and educational duties. Following reports on Mal- taToday, Archbishop Charles Scicluna had called on the Interdiocesan Environment Commission to investigate the case. In its findings the commission concluded that a 12-storey facade over St Au- gustine Street was too large and would adversely affect res- idents and passers-by, and that the proposed building is too close to the priory and chapel, which are, scheduled Grade 2. But the Planning Directorate is recommending approval on Paceville high-rise on Augustinians' land set for approval the basis of the Height Limi- tation Adjustment Policy for Hotels, that allows extra floors over and above the local plan's height limits, on condition that it respects "sensitive his- toric environments, conser- vation areas and scheduled buildings". The policy also emphasises that no blank walls are cre- ated. The directorate's case officer concluded that the proposal respects the Grade 2 sched- uled convent, by creating a public piazza at street level which will enhance the pedes- trian experience and provide for better views towards the site from Sqaq Lourdes. The case officer also notes that the façade is designed in a "fluid shape" which allows the sun to penetrate to the ground floor. Since the site is adjacent to a Grade 2 scheduled building, the architect was requested to submit an Urban Design Study. The study concluded that the area is already charac- terised by high-rise buildings, the majority of which consist- ing of hotels and entertain- ment outlets. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt