Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1515242
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 31 JANUARY 2024 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Superintendence strongly objects to BOV's Attard application BANK of Valletta's proposal to demolish its one-storey Attard branch and replace it with a five-storey residential complex is "objectionable in principle" the heritage watchdog says. The Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage described the proposed design of the new building as completely incom- patible with buildings in the Urban Conservation Area. "The proposed replacement building would be totally out of context within the existing urban environment," the SCH said in its assessment of the ap- plication. It also warned that a five-sto- rey building in this area would result in "massive unsightly blank party walls" overlooking the historical gardens of the nearby Casa de Piro. Moreover, the cultural herit- age watchdog has warned that proposed excavations in the ar- ea to make way for a basement parking would pose a very high level of threat within an ar- chaeologically sensitive area. The plans will see 10 residen- tial units built on top of a new bank branch and a basement parking area. The SCH wants any develop- ment in the area to be limited to two full floors in line with the predominant height of the nearby properties. More than 100 residents have objected to the application. The Attard local council has also warned that if approved the development would detract from the charm and character of Attard's village core which it claims has "immense cultural, historical and aesthetic value." BOV has justified the devel- opment as a way of maximising use of its assets by selling its property to unspecified third parties. "The bank is always looking for ways of maximising the use of its assets. One way of doing so is through the sale of prop- erty, which in this case includ- ed one of the bank's branches. The branch will be retained by the bank and refurbished to provide enhanced services to the community in a more mod- ern environment," a spokes- person for the Bank had told the Times of Malta last month. The BOV spokesperson had also made it clear that it has no intention of entering the property sector and is legally precluded from doing so by its banking licence. BOV wants to demolish its current branch in the locality's village core and replace it with a five-storey residential block with a bank at ground f loor level The BOV branch in Attard DIN l-Art Ħelwa and the Research, Innovation and Development Trust of the University of Malta (RIDT) have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding to set up a collab- oration between the two entities to raise funds for various projects which would involve different de- partments from the University of Malta. Among the departments involved in such projects are the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage and the Department of Classics and Archaeology. However, the MOU is not exclusive to these departments and may in- volve other collaborations depend- ing on the needs of specific projects. Over the past years, both entities have managed to raise funds for spe- cific projects. Din l- Art Ħelwa, founded in 1965, has restored and manages numerous cultural sites of historic and environ- mental importance. The RIDT, founded in 2011, has funded various research projects across all areas of study within the University of Malta. With this collaboration, the two entities will join forces to finance projects of mutual interests. The Memorandum of Understand- ing will cover a period of five years. "Din l-Art Ħelwa has always sought the highest scientific standards in its conservation projects; this collabo- ration allows us to raise funds to tap into the best science in the Universi- ty," Din l-Art Ħelwa executive presi- dent, Prof. Alex Torpiano said. "This is a prestigious collaboration and it is an honour for RIDT to work with Din l-Art Ħelwa, Malta's na- tional trust, towards the safeguard- ing of our heritage," Wilfred Kenely, RIDT CEO, said. Din L-Art Helwa and Research, Innovation & Development Trust (RIDT) sign memorandum of understanding From left to right: Prof. Alex Torpiano, Ms Simone Mizzi, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, Mr Wilfred Kenely