Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545856
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 JULY 2026 NEWS A controversial proposal to convert a Grade 2 scheduled townhouse in Paceville into a 17-room guesthouse on five floors is returning before the Planning Authority next week. The planning process saw the original application suspended while new parameters were es- tablished for an entire streets- cape. The application presented by Priscilla Calleja concerns the property at 55, Triq il-Wilga, one of a row of nine Grade 2 scheduled townhouses stretch- ing towards Triq Paceville. When first assessed in 2017, planning officials recommend- ed refusing Calleja's proposal, which involved demolishing the existing townhouse while retain- ing its façade and constructing a five-storey guesthouse with a recessed top floor. The protected, traditional row of listed townhouses on Wil- ga Street was built between the 1920s and 1930s. They were part of the initial residential expan- sion spearheaded by Maltese lawyer and developer Giuseppe Pace, who constructed these ear- ly seaside properties to rent out to British military servicemen stationed at nearby barracks. Back in 2017, the case officer concluded that the proposal was "not considered to be in harmo- ny with its immediate context", warning that it would under- mine the architectural unity of the scheduled row and create two prominent blank party walls. The report also referred to objections from the Superin- tendence of Cultural Heritage, which warned that the project would have "a negative and un- acceptable impact" on both the protected building and the sur- rounding streetscape. However, instead of determin- ing the application, the Planning Board opted for a different ap- proach during its meeting of 11 January 2018. The minutes state: "Without prejudice it was suggested that an outline application is sub- mitted on the whole stretch of scheduled properties to deter- mine the building height and ex- ternal appearance. Such an ap- plication will also ensure that all interested parties are informed." The minutes recorded PA Ex- ecutive Chair Johann Buttigieg saying the outline application would cover an area well beyond the applicant's property and will act as a masterplan for the whole area. The minutes noted that the authority would consider waiv- ing the fees for the application. Following that meeting, Calleja requested that the original ap- plication be suspended to allow time for the preparation of the wider outline proposal. Changing goalposts The outline application, cov- ering the full row of nine sched- uled houses, was eventually submitted by Priscille Calleja on behalf of all the owners, in 2021 and approved in January 2024, despite one dissenting vote. The approval established the principle that additional floors could be introduced across the row through a coordinated ar- chitectural approach, while leav- ing detailed matters—façades, setbacks, design details, internal layouts and specific uses—to be assessed through subsequent full development applications. Following the approval of that outline permit, the original guesthouse application was re- activated and is now scheduled for determination by the Plan- ning Board on 23 July. In an updated assessment, planning officials state that the original concerns regarding height and the relationship with the streetscape have effectively been overtaken by the approved outline framework. The report notes that revised plans now reflect the outline ap- proval, although clearance from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage is still required before any approval is issued to ensure the final design remains compat- ible with the surrounding sched- uled buildings. The proposed guesthouse would contain 17 bedrooms and include an ancillary catering es- tablishment. Since no parking spaces are being provided on site, the applicant would pay a commuted parking contribution of €8,385. JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt How PA changed the rules for a protected Paceville townhouse Police issue warning over WhatsApp voting scam The protected, traditional row of listed townhouses on Wilga Street was built between the 1920s and 1930s THE Malta Police Force warned the public about a WhatsApp scam in which users receive messages from their own contacts asking them to vote for a person in an online com- petition through a link. The police explained that once the link is accessed, scammers gain unauthorised control of the victim's WhatsApp account. They then use the compromised account to send further scam messages to the victim's contacts by requesting money or financial assistance. Because these messages appear to come from a trusted contact, re- cipients are more likely to believe they are genuine. However, police strongly urged the public not to click on such links. The public is advised to remain cautious even when messages are received from familiar contacts and to verify any financial requests by calling the sender directly. If users suspect their WhatsApp account has been compromised, police recommend immediately logging out of all linked devices, reviewing account security set- tings, enabling two-step verifica- tion, and informing contacts that the account has been hacked. Victims are also urged to report the incident at the nearest police station or through the official po- lice website. Police advise the public to remain cautious even when messages are received from familiar contacts and to verify any financial requests by calling the sender directly EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt The police strongly urged the public not to click these links