Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/963162
maltatoday SUNDAY 8 APRIL 2018 News 5 JAMES DEBONO TWO of St Julian's most recognis- able homes – their turrets earned them the description of "solitary stately homes" in 1898 survey sheets – are to be turned into apartment blocks. Two identical applications have been presented to add five floors on top of the two Spinola bay townhouses to make way for 12 new apartments. They foresee the addition of an extra floor over and above two permits that were already issued in September 2017, against the advice of the Planning Authority's planning directorate. Their facades on Spinola Road and on Spinola Bay are both ear- marked for Grade 2 scheduling. The applications were separately presented by Joe Sammut and Clifton Cassar, after the Planning Authority's appeals tribunal over- turned two decisions taken back in 2010 and 2011 against the develop- ment proposed by Albert Coppini. Originally the developers wanted to demolish the townhouses, but the appeals tribunal allowed three additional floors on the two town- houses. While saying the two buildings deserved protection, the appeals tribunal insisted that it could not ignore permits issued for apart- ment blocks adjacent to the two townhouses. "While the buildings should be restored, additional storeys should be constructed in the same way as has been done on adjacent sites," the tribunal had said. In September 2017, the PA ap- proved two applications to add 10 apartments on the existing façade, against the advice of the case of- ficer. The case officer had pointed out that the proposed design does not reflect the architectural and sym- metrical design features of the ex- isting building and the design as proposed does not relate well to the appearance of the entire build- ing. Through both applications the two buildings will rise to the same height of adjacent buildings. Spinola's 19th century houses get ready for their 'makeover' The facades of the townhouses on Spinola Road and Spinola Bay are earmarked for Grade 2 scheduling