Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544021
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 MARCH 2026 NEWS Heritage authority flags value of HSBC St Paul's Bay modernist landmark THE Superintendence of Cul- tural Heritage has acknowledged the architectural importance of a modernist St Paul's Bay building earmarked for demolition, but says it cannot oppose the project because a previous permit au- thorising its removal remains in force until December 2026. In its formal response to a planning consultation on a proposal to replace the former bank building in Triq San Pawl with a nine-storey hotel, the heritage watchdog noted that the structure is a 1960s design by renowned Maltese architect Richard England and forms part of a category of modernist archi- tecture whose cultural value is increasingly recognised. Despite this, the Superintend- ence stated it was constrained by an earlier approval which already allows the demolition of the property. Because that permit remains valid and was granted before the current appli- cation, the authority concluded it had no further comments to make. Although issued back in 2015 the permit remains valid till December 2026. The permit issued more than a decade ago foresaw the dem- olition of the existing one floor HSBC Branch and the construc- tion of a new branch with overly- ing offices over four floors. The SCH was not even consulted be- fore this permit was issued. But the case officer assessing the permit had claimed that the building in question "has no sig- nificant architectural or histori- cal importance". The new proposal, currently before the Planning Authority, seeks to replace the building — formerly a branch of HSBC and originally constructed when it formed part of the Barclays net- work — with a Class 3B hotel. Plans foresee three basement levels, a restaurant and recep- tion at ground floor, eight upper floors containing 75 rooms, and a rooftop pool bar. While the heritage authority limited its remarks to the site's architectural context and the legal constraints posed by the earlier permit, a separate and detailed objection has been filed by the San Pawl il-Baħar Local Council focusing entirely on in- frastructure and safety concerns. The council argues that the scheme breaches Development Control Design Policy standards, particularly in relation to access geometry and traffic impact. It says the proposed basement ramp is too narrow for two-way vehicle flow and too steep for safe manoeuvring, creating a risk of vehicles reversing onto Triq San Pawl — a major northern traffic corridor already operating close to capacity. It also warned that internal parking layouts would be dif- ficult to navigate, potentially forcing drivers to seek on-street parking and increasing conges- tion in surrounding roads. Par- ticular concern was raised about the lack of a recessed lay-by for coaches and taxis, meaning guest drop-offs could block the carriageway entirely. The council further criticised the absence of key technical documentation, including a Transport Impact Assessment, detailed servicing plans, and swept-path analyses demon- strating that vehicles can enter and exit safely. It described the proposal as an over-intensifi- cation of the site that risks pri- oritising floor area over public safety and road efficiency, urging refusal unless the design is sub- stantially revised. JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt The former bank building in Triq San Pawl Primary School in Mellieha set to triple in size THE Maria Regina College Pri- mary School in Mellieħa is set to undergo a major redevelopment that will increase its gross floor ar- ea nearly tenfold, from 4,218sqm to 40,198sqm, and expand its built footprint from 2,618sqm to roughly 11,000sqm. The expansion is designed to accommodate a 23% increase in student numbers, growing from 569 to around 700 pupils, and a 20% rise in staff to 121 members, as well as a new childcare center for 40 children. The project, proposed by the Foundation for Tomorrow's School, aims to modernize the aging 1960s campus while provid- ing a sustainable, carbon-neutral educational environment, with the school getting all its energy needs from solar panels. The expansion in the school's footprint is set to take place on ad- jacent undeveloped land already earmarked for school extension in the local plan and is entirely located in the development zone. The redevelopment will generally be one storey higher than the ex- isting school. At its maximum height above street level, specifically on Triq il-Madonna ta' Fatima, the new school will reach four storeys, which is approximately 16.73 me- ters. Across the rest of the site, the school will comprise four levels of classrooms and facilities built above two basement levels of parking. Modern student-centered facilities The new school will feature purpose-built classrooms for vocational subjects, including art, music, media, and Physical and Social Development (PSD), alongside dedicated spaces for psycho-social support such as counseling and speech therapy. Multi-purpose halls, a library, and an innovative roof garden will en- hance both student life and com- munity engagement. The architectural design balanc- es modern aesthetics with herit- age preservation. Elements of the original Mod- ernist hall pavilion and external façades will be retained, while new curved contemporary struc- tures will create a visually dy- namic campus. Ancient rock-cut chambers on the site, historically used as wartime shelters and pos- sibly earlier burial spaces, will be preserved in situ and converted into a public interpretation area accessible to the community after school hours. Catering for population growth The redevelopment responds to a combination of population growth and evolving educational policies emphasizing diversity, in- clusion, and interactive learning. Existing classrooms are currently overcrowded and insufficient for modern pedagogical methods, prompting the creation of flex- ible, technology-enabled spac- es tailored to individual student needs. The project reflects a broader shift away from traditional didac- tic teaching toward experiential and student-centered approach- es. The school is designed as a net-zero energy facility, featuring a 350kWP photovoltaic system expected to generate 511,000kWh annually, surpassing its projected annual demand of 330,000kWh. Rainwater harvesting through two reservoirs totalling 1,100m³ will supply water for irrigation and other non-potable uses. Construction will require exca- vation of approximately 38,000m³ of limestone, with specialized techniques to navigate an east- west striking fault, managed un- der a detailed Construction Man- agement Plan to mitigate noise, dust, and vibration impacts. The redevelopment will make its facilities, including halls, libraries, and the roof garden, available to the Mellieħa community outside school hours. To address existing off-street parking issues and cater to the expanded population, the development is set to include 209 parking spaces. Reporting by James Debono The redevelopment that will increase its gross floor area nearly tenfold