Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1491702
13 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 FEBRUARY 2023 JAMES DEBONO A collection of dilapidated rooms that lie in the fields be- low the Mdina bastions are be- ing earmarked for two dwellings of 290sq.m and 170sq.m. The two applications, pre- sented by Matthew and Luke Marshall, sons of the Marquis Marcus Scicluna Marshall, seek a permit for maintenance works on the pre-1967 residences. But the 2014 rural policy only allows redevelopments of vernacular buildings upon proof of past residential use. The applicants claim the dere- lict farmhouses had been inhab- ited by two families listed in the electoral registers of 1959, 1961, and 1968. In one case it was claimed that the tenant contin- ued to live in the property till the late 1990s, with official cor- respondence requesting funds from the landowner for works carried out within the residence being submitted as proof. In the other case correspondence be- tween the Department of Social Services and the owner dated 1969, requesting an extension of the residence to better accom- modate tenants, was submitted. But the PA case officer assess- ing the two applications has de- scribed the proof submitted as 'contradictory', pointing out the absence of a contract of deeds and corresponding site plans or utility bills paid. Moreover, the Planning Authority was unable to clarify whether the address and site referred to in the elec- toral registers refers to that of the rooms mentioned in the ap- plication. Furthermore, in one of the applications, aerial photos in- dicate that the structure was al- ready roofless in 1978 and was therefore already not habitable 35 years ago. Moreover, although the de- sign of the proposed buildings is considered suitable and one which respects the rural con- text, the case officer has ex- pressed concern on the extent of the proposed development in in an Area of High Landscape Value. The Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage has issued its clearance for the restoration works in both properties even if it had expressed reservations on the sensitivity of the site. But the Environment and Resources Authority is objecting warning that the proliferation of resi- dential development will ruin the rural character of the area. It also expressed concern about demolition and construction works noting the terracing na- ture of the site and that the site is densely covered with trees and shrubs. ERA also expressed concern on the "reconstruction of structures which have long since been demolished into a fully-fledged residences in the ODZ." A decision on the pro- posed development will be tak- en during a public hearing on 26 February. Marchesinos want Mdina bastion ruins turned into new houses The renditions of the new houses, seen here at the bottom left in the fields, as desired by the owners of the rubble heaps that now stand in the fields below the bastions of Mdina Case officer recommends refusal as documentation proving past residential use is deemed contradictory and one of the rooms was already roof less in 1978 JAMES DEBONO DEVELOPER Carlo Stivala is seeking planning permits for a light-weight structure for a rooftop area for chairs and ta- bles on top of the Balluta Bay building that formerly house the Piccolo Padre restaurant, a Grade 2 listed building. The proposal for the rooftop seating area as well as a retract- able canopy on the third floor, are being objected to by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, which expressed con- cern on allowing more illegal works in the same building. The application is to sanction a number of works carried out without a permit, following other illegal works in Novem- ber that had been regularised at a later stage. Stivala also wants to change the use of a residen- tial unit to two restaurants and the addition of "new balconies". The SCH expressed concern "at unauthorised works with- in a scheduled property", not- ing that upon inspection the third level had already been constructed beyond what was allowed in previous permits. It said the rooftop catering area would create the need for um- brellas and related parapherna- lia which would have a negative impact on the property. Plans also propose extend- ed balconies on the seaward side at second and third levels, which the Superintendence considers to be "a drastic alter- ation to the façade of a sched- uled building". In November 2022, the Plan- ning Authority sanctioned alterations to the facade, in- cluding the dismantling of a wrought-iron railing, with the the re-installation of a replica of the original timber balconies and apertures which had been previously removed without a permit. The illegal works had been stopped by the Planning Authority in January 2022 af- ter being flagged by former St Julian's mayor Albert Buttigieg on New Year's Day. Balluta rooftop restaurant finds no favour with heritage watchdog PA asked to sanction more illegal works at former Piccolo Padre restaurant building after illegal works were sanctioned in November