Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1325383
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 6 JANUARY 2021 NEWS Maria Efimova Replica must replace removed Attard niche JAMES DEBONO DEVELOPERS want to replace an old protected niche of Our Lady of Grace with a replica after the origi- nal disappeared from the façade of a dilapidated building in Attard, along Mdina Road. The replica will be integrated in a modern development consisting of a coffee shop and overlying offices pro- posed by Graham Borg. The application originally foresaw both the 'sanctioning' of the "remov- al" of the niche and its relocation. But in September 2020 the Superintend- ence for Cultural Heritage denounced the disapperance of the niche from the façade of the buildings, which had "been recently wilfully damaged". The SCH insisted that the niche be either restored in its totality or if not possible, "the perpetrator has to make a replica" and "compensate the irreversible damage and loss of au- thenticity by a separate agreement with the SCH". The SCH reserved the right to take any further action in view of breeches of the Cultural Heritage Act. Subsequently the developer pre- sented new plans, including a replica of the original niche. But the Superintendence noted that "a previously existing lantern and coin donation box had been omitted from the proposed design" and these should be included in the design of any replica. The Superintendence is demanding a separate agreement to compen- sate for the loss of the original niche, without which there will be no con- sent for the replica application. The building itself where the niche is located is in a very poor state of preservation and and has no signif- icant cultural heritage value which would warrant preservation. Superintendence insists on compensation for loss of original niche and replacement with replica JAMES DEBONO DEMAND for new planning permits took a relatively small dip during the pandemic year but requests for new permits remain higher than in every year between 2011 and 2016. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 the number of permits submitted remained more than four times higher the number of applications presented in 2011, a year also dominated by an international economic crisis triggered by the collapse of financial markets. The number of planning applications has dropped by 10 percent from 10,003 in 2019 to 8,981 in 2020. Zoning applications meant to set future parameters for future develop- ments have declined by a more substantial 31% from 120 in 2019 to 82 in 2020. But statistics indicate that the decline in planning applications predated COVID, with the number of planning permits al- ready declining by 13% from 11,480 in 2018 to 10,003 in 2019. The number of zoning applications had also declined by 25% from 161 in 2018 to 120 in 2019. The number of planning and zoning ap- plications only offers an indication of the state of the construction industry. This is because planning permits are submitted for a wide range of works, ranging from new residential blocks to agricultural reservoirs. Moreover, not all permits are approved and the number of planning applications does not result in the immediate com- mencement of works. In fact, permits re- main valid for five years after being issued and owners may bide for time to commence works. But the number of planning applica- tions does offer an indication of confidence in the property market and willingness of owners and developers to take risks. Stakeholders in the sector confirmed that the construction sector has remained resil- ient during the pandemic, albeit suffering from what is described as a 'cooling-off' pe- riod following a peak in 2018. The number of planning permits being issued also raises issues of sustainability es- pecially when one considers that the PA has received a staggering 49,556 permit applica- tions in the past five years – nearly triple the amount of permit applications presented in the previous five years. The upsurge in planning applications also reflected the more liberal planning policies approved since 2013 which included de- sign guidelines which practically allowed five-storey developments within develop- ment zones and outside urban conservation areas. 8,981 permit applications presented in COVID year PA Zoning applications applications 2011 1,939 42 2012 3,153 57 2013 3,669 46 2014 3,911 26 2015 4,935 44 2016 7,972 78 2017 11,120 79 2018 11,480 161 2019 10,003 120 2020 8,981 82 Despite COVID permit applications remain higher than pre 2016 levels and more than four times higher than in 2011