Lija's historic Belveder Tower 'under attack'

The Belveder Tower greeting you on your way to the Lija parish church will soon have to compete for attention with a block of flats nearby to which the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) has recently given the green light.

The development, a block of eight flats and penthouse on four floors, complete with underlying garages, will stand less than 20 metres to the right of the Belveder, replacing part of an existing villa and its garden.

Built in 1857, the tower was a feature in a large garden planted with citrus forming part of the former Villa Gourgion.

When the villa was demolished, the authorities gave the green light to retain the tower in its original position when the avenue was opened in 1956.

Residents and the Lija local council have objected strongly to the development, presenting a petition signed by some 143 people.

But while noting the arguments against the project and of the effect the development would have on the Belveder, Mepa's case officer recommended its approval anyway.

Even the authority's own Culture Heritage Advisory Committee (CHAC) was critical of the application, saying the development would "seriously jeopardise" the tower's context, if approved.

In particular, the committee stressed the fact that, the tower being a scheduled building, Mepa was legally bound to consider not only the belveder's conservation but also that of its setting.

In this case, the local plan's building heights are secondary to the context of the application.

The board, however, unanimously chose otherwise.

Besides the landmark tower itself, residents are now concerned that the approval would kick the door open for further four-storey development in the area.

The argument made by the case officer for the development's approval, in fact, hinged on the fact that the recently approved local plans had increased the building height in the area to three floors and penthouse.

A representative of the residents, David Debono, said residents are incensed about the decision.

"We feel it is disgraceful that the village core is going to be disrupted in this way.

"Apart from being less than 20 metres from the tower, what so far has been one of the most beautiful streets in Malta will be ruined too."

As for the residents' plans, Mr Debono said that with the council's backing, the residents are seeking legal advice and will take action accordingly.