FAA calls on Mepa to refuse permit for Windsor Terrace development
Environment NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar has again urged Mepa to turn down an application for a five-storey development in Windsor Terrace, Sliema, due to be considered tomorrow.
The local plan for the area imposes a two-floor height limitation.
FAA said it was a great shock when Mepa’s Development Control Commission had granted the developers an outline permit to build five floors.
“This would create illegal high party walls on either side, as the flats are to be built right in the middle of a row of seven identical, fine old two-storey Sliema townhouses. This streetscape had been protected, however the Mepa protection indicator had mysteriously disappeared around the time that this application was submitted.”
FAA said it has been calling for the rescinding of this outline permit since the DCC had overturned the case officer’s recommendation to refuse the permit without giving justification for such a reversal according to planning regulations.
It asked how Mepa could refuse others’ permits on the grounds of washrooms that were a few feet too large, then grant a such an outrageous permit for a five-floor block of flats in a two-storey, supposedly protected, urban conservation area.
“The granting of a full permit tomorrow would certainly undermine all Mepa’s claims of a new transparency and a level playing field for all,” FAA said.
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J Farrugia
Nov 13th 2008, 08:18
Li kieku l-proprjeta' imnsemmija kienet ta' xi hadd minn dawn lli kitbu hawnhekk, il-kliem kien ikun mod iehor. Ghax kulhadd jigbed lejn xawwatu.
James A. Tyrrell
Nov 12th 2008, 19:48
FAA ask the question, 'how Mepa could refuse others’ permits on the grounds of washrooms that were a few feet too large, then grant a such an outrageous permit for a five-floor block of flats in a two-storey, supposedly protected, urban conservation area.'
This is an excellent question and the only answer, which seems to be apparent is that something stinks within Mepa. Evidence of corruption connected to this authority has been found in the past and what other explanation can there be for the 'protection' being removed around the time of the application?
Gonzi promised to sort this authority out once and for all once the election was over. Was this just more Gonzi hot air?
Charles Sammut NY
Nov 12th 2008, 15:15
Obviously MEPA is a tool of the developers and the Govt and instead of protecting it actually finds loopholes in granting permits where it should not. Anyone with any brains knows this. certain areas like Hondoq and Ramla and these beautuful row of old houses in Sliema should be a NO NO for development and MEPA should not be allowed to decide on them. Malta should be saved from MEPA. Bumper stickers "Save Malta from Mepa" should be everywhere.
Mary Fisher
Nov 12th 2008, 15:10
I am not from Mellieha but I completely agree that MEPA has made a hash of the way Malta looks. I had full faith in things improving with the Prime Minister promising transparency and improvement but I suppose promises are made to be broken and we are having a very clear
indication of that in the very recent present. Why should the responsibility fall on FAA and other NGO's to point out where the government or MEPA is going wrong? Isn't it time this government woke up from its slumber and acted for the people?
Ray Sultana
Nov 12th 2008, 14:22
Let's hope Mepa does the right thing and save this row of beautiful townhouses in the heart of Sliema.
Rows of houses of the same height give the street a sense of harmony and uniformity which unfortunatley is already very rare in Sleima and other places. Building a block of apartments in the middle of this row of houses will ruin the streetscape forever and will add more hideous third party walls which are a real eyesore.
Mepa must stop this outrageous destruction.
Edward Caruana Galizia
Nov 12th 2008, 13:13
The only way we can stop these things from happening is if we all chain ourselves to the buildings. Windsor terrace? It s bad enough there is a block of flats sticking out half way through the road. I just can t believe how dense some people can be. It typical of Malta though. Who wants beauty? Who cares about old houses? Lets just build CHEAP UGLY FLATS everywhere. It s a wonder they haven't decided to demolish the temple and build on them too. Although I think that's just a matter of time. For some reason the generation in charge just don t understand. It s bad enough we have that disgusting excuse of City Gate which will never be changed, now they just want to get rid of everything that is actually Maltese and turn it into CHEAP UGLY FLATS, cos that's the only thing these developers understand. CHEAP UGLY FLATS.
I think the government should stand up and say " fine build but if you dont sell them within 9 months they belong to the government" that should stop them.
Astrid Vella
Nov 12th 2008, 12:14
In reply to Odette Longo below, the total of empty housing units in Sliema and St. Julians stood at 4,500 at the time of the census in 2005. Since then hundreds, maybe over a thousand more have been built.
Tony Dimech
Nov 12th 2008, 12:13
Thumbs up FAA for your hard work.....altough I m not from Sliema , I agree with all you.
The System must be changed for sure, .......sometimes we all blame the DCC and it's ok.
Nevertheless if the architect representing the owner put's the perfect reasoning, with the perfect designs & illustrations, having a perfect impact assesment & safety considerations , ......insomma a perfect plot (that in reality is hard to get)........
...don't you think why DCC will vote yes!!
Joseph V. Grech
Nov 12th 2008, 12:11
This is a disgrace! Sliema is being ruined beyond recognition. When will the P.M., as Minister for MEPA, really begin heeding the views of society? We have had so many ugly construction projects going up. Cruise passengers arriving in Malta are shocked when they view what has been built around our grand harbour. Just wait until the monstrous towers in Gzira and other places are finalized. It will probably become impossible to drive through that area! I personally have no faith whatsoever in the DCC Boards...they keep on ignoring the opinions of MEPA's own Case Officers and taking unjustifiable decision. Why do they behave in this way? That is what our administration - and possible other institutionalized entities - should investigate. We just cannot go on ruining what little is left!
ODETTE LONGO
Nov 12th 2008, 11:58
What is going on ?
Ahna ahna jew m'ahniex ???? This all seems like a bad joke.
All hereunder have a point....
I do wonder how many empty apartments there are in sliema alone... including tigne point and fort cambridge (when ready).
sonya pecorella
Nov 12th 2008, 11:50
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, MEPA!...you are bugging everyone except the very select few....
Kevin Mulligan
Nov 12th 2008, 11:37
I just cannot comprehend how MEPA can break its own ules in central plans without batting an eyelid and without any justification whatsoever! Lets hope MEPA DCC boards have turned over a new leaf and will start follwoing its own rules and guidelines once and forever.
Henry J Bonett
Nov 12th 2008, 11:31
It is amazing how this authority, appointed by the government to protect the citizen, purposely taken under his responsibility by the Prime Minister, remains free to flout even its own rules. Well done FAA! What an unnecessary hassle!
A Fabri
Nov 12th 2008, 11:09
welldone for the FAA...it's pity that Sliema charcter is being lost too.
unfortunately ......today only money talks!!!!!! irrespective of enviroment, values,history and all the common sense.
The more you have , the more you can influence......if it's not today it will be tomorrow.
It's discrace that the enviroment for the Govt , is only about plastic bags, energy saving bulbs, wind farms & vechile emissions.....Why???
Margo Arrigo
Nov 12th 2008, 10:51
It is time for MEPA to follow it's own rules and regulations. Why must it be that depending on a whim rules are thrown out of the window?. We cannot continue destroying Sliema and St Julians to build an almost Godless,definetely unsocial,asthetically ugly empty ,windy town attractive to no one but the speculator and the contractor ,who wouldn't even want to live in the monsters he creates.
a. sciberras
Nov 12th 2008, 10:30
it is such a pity! we are loosing out all the traditional townhouses in the sliema, st.julians area to development, loosing out these town's individual character completely.
Monica Cilia
Nov 12th 2008, 10:28
Hats off to FAA for monitoring this situation. Let us all try to preserve what´s left.
John Saliba
Nov 12th 2008, 09:49
Il MEPA taqa taht ir responsabilita ta' Dr. Gonzi jew le? Il primministru ghadu Dr. Gonzi hux? jew ma ghadx ghandu sahha? Ma nafx, kullhadd jamel li jrid min ministri sa korporazzjonijiet. Li kieku fadlilom rispett lejn il poplu u jafu xhini responsabilita politika, jirrezenjaw.