Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1483693
8 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 9 NOVEMBER 2022 Government committee calls for ban on rooftop swimming pools in Mdina Technical Committee advising government on conservation of world heritage sites recommends ban on rooftop swimming pools in Mdina as being proposed in an application for the restoration of a townhouse by the Easysell group JAMES DEBONO A technical committee advising the government on issues relat- ed to the conservation of world heritage sites in Malta is calling for a ban on rooftop swimming pools in the old capital city. The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage is present- ly objecting to the proposed construction of a swimming pool at the roof top level of a development proposed by the Easysell group in Mdina. The application presented by Fabio Fenech on behalf of the Easysell group proposes the rehabilitation of a vacant residential property in Triq is-Salvatur in Mdina and fore- sees internal and external al- terations aimed at reinstating and restoring the existing and original historical fabric. The application also foresees new extensions at first and roof lev- el, and the construction of pool on the rooftop. The property in question is a Grade 1 scheduled building. The cultural heritage watch- dog made it clear that its op- position is not limited to this particular development but reflects "the objection in prin- ciple to any swimming pools at rooftop levels in Mdina" which was expressed by the Nation- al World Heritage Technical Committee. The committee was appoint- ed to advice government on any matter affecting World Heritage Sites like Mdina and Valletta. The committee which also laisses with UNES- CO on matters affecting world heritage sites, includes repre- sentatives of the Superintend- ence for Cultural Heritage, the Environment and Resources Authority and the Planning Authority and is currently chaired by Mons. Joseph Vella Gauci. In its submissions on the pro- posed development the SCH warned that the development of a swimming pool would re- sult in an aesthetically unac- ceptable impact on aerial views of Mdina, while posing unjus- tified pressure on the fabric of the property. Furthermore, the Superintendence warned that the commitment of rooftop space for a swimming pool will would create a need for screen- ing walls which would inevita- bly have a negative visual im- pact. The older core of the building dates back to the late medieval period and includes part of the historical Church of the Sav- iour. The property was used as a residence in the period from the 17th to the 19th century. But part of the property con- sists of a relatively recent con- struction which dates to the 20th century. While expressing reserva- tions on various aspects of the development and the proposed swimming pool, the SCH con- cluded that the proposed de- velopment is acceptable in principle, noting that the pro- posed demolition is contained "almost exclusively to fabric of relatively recent construc- tion and having limited value". In fact, the Superintendence notes that the proposed re- moval of low value fabric will facilitate legibility of the more significant architectural phases of the property. But the SCH has expressed concerns on some aspects of the project like the partial demolition of a sig- nificant tract of the stairs and a proposed structure at roof level which may have a nega- tive visual impact on views of Mdina. The Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti is objecting to the demo- lition of parts of the scheduled historic building that lies adja- cent to Palazzo Falson. It also warned the proposal for the construction of a swimming pool and a room at roof level will be detrimental to the sky- line of Mdina. Din l-Art Helwa is also object- ing describing the introduction of a swimming pool on the roof is completely unacceptable.