Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1135882
27.06.19 16 TOWNSCAPES THE Planning authority has issued an Emergency Conservation Order in re- spect of a late 16th/early 17th century Grade 2 scheduled townhouse situated in Triq l-Ifran, Valletta. Due to the Dangerous Structure Con- sent (DS 0117/18) issued in July 2018, a permit for the replacement of a balco- ny located on the facade on Triq l-Ajk- la was permitted, which works had to commence within three months but had never in fact been undertaken. It also transpired that the building has been internally demolished and has been left neglected thus putting the remaining external fabric at severe risk of deterioration and collapse. is internal demolition was not car- ried out according to the approved planning permit PA 1489/15. Such illegal works were served with an Enforcement Notice (EC 0037/18) which is still ongoing. e property, which lies within one of the most important areas of Mal- ta's cultural heritage assets, exhibits significant architectural and historical character and it seems that most of the original fabric had been largely re- tained albeit undergoing some historic alterations and additions. Although the facade on Triq l-Ifran can be defined as being austere, it still enhances the character of the tradi- tional streetscape of Valletta. e main defining features on this facade are the heavily moulded string course, the Melitan mouldings around the windows, and the three traditional closed timber balconies. e largest of these closed timber bal- conies is supported by a masonry base which in turn is supported by four cor- bels having the height of four courses. e ground floor of the building con- sists of a number of entrances leading to the different households since the building was sub-divided into several smaller tenements. e property lies in an Urban Conser- vation Area of Valletta which has also been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. e Emergency Conservation Order been approved by the Executive Coun- cil of the Planning Authority. Conserving scheduled properties in Valletta