Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1130632
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 JUNE 2019 JAMES DEBONO SAN Gwann's old Mensija ar- ea gave its residents a sweep- ing view of the Swieqi valley beneath. But now, those same "breath- taking valley views" are being sold off to the future residents of the new Valley View Man- sions, an eight-storey luxury block that has residents fum- ing about their own loss of views and open spaces. The project is still being as- sessed by the Planning Au- thority, but it is already be- ing advertised by developer J. Portelli Projects for its lo- cation in a "calm, serene and exclusive area of San Gwann enjoying breath-taking views of the Swieqi Valley". Proposed along Triq is- Santwarju in an undeveloped area, a short distance away from the picturesque Mensija chapel, the development will rise five storeys (17.5m) above street level and will be eight storeys high in total when viewed from the valley. Presently the site is a green area within development zones which includes a der- elict farm building, which will be cleared, as well as a number of trees. A cave is also located just outside the boundaries of the proposed development. Although a car park for 37 cars will be exca- vated on three levels below the street, and the structure will also include apartments and facilities overlooking the valley, plans indicate that no excavations will be carried out in the area immediately adjacent to the cave. Curiously, the project's ar- chitect Ray Demicoli, lives next door to the proposed project. The upmarket development will include five pools and gardens at basement level, an office, duplex residential units with gardens and pools and overlying residential apartments. But residents in the area are not enthusiastic at losing their own valley views. Ob- jectors include the former PN MEP candidate Michael Briguglio, who has been con- tacted by residents angered by the proposed develop- ment. "Residents of the area are being robbed of green ar- eas and open spaces. In view of the volume and size of this development proposal, en- vironment, traffic and social impact assessments are re- quired so as to mitigate cu- mulative impacts should the PA consider it for approval," Briguglio, a sociologist, said in his objection. In 2003, the Planning Au- thority had refused an appli- cation to construct basement garages and dwellings on the same site. The local plan zones a sub- stantial part of the site for detached and semi-detached development with a height limit of two storeys and a semi-basement (13.5 m). But apartment blocks of three storeys and a semi-basement (17.5m) are allowed along Triq is-Santwarju which in- cludes the lush garden next to the Mensija chapel. NEWS Mensija residents irked at loss of valley views to eight-storey block Central Link: 'Undesirable' heritage loss JAMES DEBONO THE demolition of a cluster of ver- nacular structures around Attard's St Paul's chapel as part of the Central link project has been described as "un- desirable" by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage. In its latest submissions on the ma- jor road project, the heritage author- ity has requested more detailed im- ages and drawings of the structures in question so it may "more conclusively assess their cultural heritage value". According to an Environmental Im- pact Assessment, the buildings, which include a tower-shaped structure, are constructed of "ashlar masonry". The Superintendence has demanded assurances that the works will not cause any damage to the chapel itself, which will not be impacted directly by the works. The chapel dedicated to St Paul's Shipwreck was originally built in 1500 and served as a parish church un- til 1616. The present structure dates back to 1729. The authority has also drawn atten- tion to the cultural value of under- ground tracts of the Wignacourt Aq- ueduct, which extend from Rabat to Attard, and is seeking assurances that these will be protected. The works will run through an area known to be archaeologically sensi- tive, as evidenced by archaeological discoveries along the route. These features include ancient tombs of high archaeological value, discovered in the Mriehel area and also a cluster of tombs in Attard located at Triq Hal Warda and Triq Xatbet l-Art. Other ancient tombs along the proposed route are recorded at the corner be- tween Triq Nutar Debono and Triq Valletta and in the vicinity of Mount Carmel Hospital.