Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545920
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 JULY 2026 NEWS Cultural watchdog warns 10-storey building would erase surviving valley landscape A major development propos- al for a 10-storey mixed-use complex overlooking Valley Road in Msida is facing herit- age concerns, with the Super- intendence of Cultural Heritage warning that the project would erase a surviving tract of valley landscape and destroy traces of agricultural activity and vernac- ular structures. The application, PA/01891/26, presented by Michael Mizzi's Ogygia Ent. Ltd, proposes the excavation of the site for under- ground parking, a ground-floor Class 4B showroom and Class 4A office accessible from Valley Road, Msida. The development would also include 69 private garages, office space and 51 residential units at upper levels accessed from Triq G. Flores in Santa Venera. The plans show a building ter- raced between the two roads, with the residential block rising five floors above Triq G. Flores, resulting in a structure reaching around 10 storeys when viewed from Valley Road. The proposed development site lies adjacent to the public staircase linking Valley Road and the surrounding streets, as well as a green area located to the side of the steps. Unlike a previous application submitted in 2020, the current propos- al does not include the public staircase or the adjoining green area within the development boundary. The current application cov- ers 2,491 square metres, com- pared with the 2,780 square me- tre sites covered by the previous proposal, which was later with- drawn. That earlier application, presented by Eight Properties Ltd owned by George Portel- li, had been recommended for refusal by the case officer due to concerns over inadequate transport information, a park- ing shortfall and a proposed building profile exceeding the height derived from the ter- rain's topography. In its assessment of the cur- rent proposal, the SCH noted that the site represents a surviv- ing tract of undeveloped land with evidence of terraced fields and historic agricultural activity along Valley Road. The heritage watchdog also highlighted the presence of at least one vernacular structure along Triq il-Wied within the site boundary. It warned that the intensity of the proposed development would "eradicate all traces of the existing land- scape" and lead to the demo- lition of surviving vernacular features. The SCH said the application lacked sufficient documen- tation, including images and detailed drawings of the exist- ing structures, preventing an adequate assessment of their heritage value and context. It requested a comprehensive photographic survey and draw- ings of all structures described as "dilapidated" before provid- ing further comments. The proposal has also attract- ed objections from residents concerned about the scale of development and its impact on the surrounding area. Over a hundred objections have been presented. Residents argue that the combination of residential units, garages, offic- es and commercial space rep- resented overdevelopment that would increase traffic, noise and pressure on local infrastructure. Concerns were raised over additional vehicle movements, congestion, pedestrian safety and the capacity of surround- ing roads, particularly given the constraints of nearby dead-end streets. Residents also warned of po- tential impacts on privacy, day- light, construction disruption from excavation works, and increased demand on utilities, including electricity supply. One objection highlighted the ecological sensitivity of the val- ley environment, arguing that the development could result in irreversible impacts through land take, vegetation remov- al, changes to rainwater runoff patterns and increased noise and lighting. The application remains un- der assessment by the Planning Authority. JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt