Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538870
JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt 12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 AUGUST 2025 NEWS Heritage watchdog approves three extra floors on Dingli terraced houses THE Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) has issued its go- ahead for a controversial applica- tion to add three floors to a row of terraced houses in Dingli after previously objecting to a singu- lar vertical extension in the same street. The development concerns a 125-metre stretch of Triq Guże Ellul Mercer presently consist- ing of a row of two-storey social housing units built in the late 20th century. The SCH's clearance is not final as a decision still has to be taken by the Planning Author- ity. In its submission, the heritage watchdog acknowledged that the existing terraced houses contrib- ute to a clearly defined streets- cape, with a uniform alignment of balconies, windows, and parapet walls. Yet it said it could not op- pose the proposal "in principle" because of an earlier commit- ment approved in 2025. That year, the Planning Author- ity gave the green light for the demolition of one of the houses in the same row and its replacement with four apartments — despite SCH objections at the time. Then, the heritage watchdog had described the two-storey streetscape as "intact" and reflec- tive of a coherent vision for social housing and urban planning, rec- ommending its preservation. "Such housing projects are testa- ment to an evolving social context and how this influenced a specific typology of urban planning dur- ing this period," the SCH had said in a report presented in 2023. Confronted with that precedent, the SCH said it would now con- sider the new project as a "unified extension" across the row rather than isolated interventions on an individual basis". However, it insisted the design be revisited to ensure clearer distinction between the original façades and the new additions, with finishes and volumes that complement rather than over- whelm the existing streetscape. The SCH has also asked for visual renders illustrating revised mate- rials and colours. However, Moviment Graffit- ti is objecting to the proposed development, warning that the project would drastically alter the scale and character of Dingli. The NGO argued that replacing two-storey dwellings with five- floor apartment blocks would create "a visual monstrosity" that breaks the building line and im- poses an overbearing presence on neighbouring properties. The group also flagged practi- cal concerns, pointing out that the increase in residential units would strain the area's infrastruc- ture. "The current street accom- modates roughly 30 vehicles; full occupancy could increase this to hundreds, without any provision for additional parking or circula- tion," Graffitti said.