Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535788
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 28 MAY 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The photomontages suggest that while the villas will not obscure neighbour- ing protected buildings, they will have a marked impact on the openness of exist- ing views from the restaurant's terrace, changing a long-standing and familiar view. The visuals were requested by the Su- perintendence for Cultural Heritage and were submitted by the company a few days ago. The application, filed by an Indian em- ployee of the company, proposes the dem- olition of the Al Fresco pizzeria, which features an extensive open terrace facing St George's Bay. The restaurant is located next to a Grade 2 scheduled lodge. The proposal involves the development of two villas, each built over a basement, ground floor, and receded first floor, with extensive open areas. One villa will cover 299sq.m and the other 364sq.m, with building footprints of 92sq.m and 129sq.m respectively. The Superintendence for Cultural Her- itage had previously acknowledged a reduction in the project's proposed vol- umes but had reserved judgement until the photomontages were submitted. The SCH is currently assessing the newly sub- mitted visuals. Thanks to regulations introduced in 2020, photomontages are mandatory for developments situated next to scheduled buildings. Last year, MaltaToday revealed that Portelli had used the name of an employ- ee from his construction firm PRA Con- struction to submit the application to de- molish the popular Al Fresco restaurant and replace it with two villas. The company stated that, as per its pol- icy, it "sometimes submits applications under the names of project supervisors involved in the development to simpli- fy communication and create a sense of ownership over the project." Two villas proposed on Al Fresco site in Birzebbuga Photomontages showcasing what the villas will look like once complete