Juan Ameen
Old armoury extension to be preserved and restored
The extension to an armoury used by the Knights of Malta in Qormi will not be demolished but will be conserved and fully restored, the planning authority said denying reports that it would be developed.
Fondazzjoni Ulied Ħal-Qormi and Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar held a press conference on site last week and claimed the structure was in danger of being demolished and replaced with flats.
But the extension, which dates back to the 17th century, will be preserved while the planned apartments will be built next to the armoury, which now serves as a police station.
"I am bound by a bank guarantee not to touch it and I actually included it in the plans for the development," developer Noel Vella insisted.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority gave him the go-ahead to build a three-storey block of flats, which includes a receded penthouse.
Before the outline permit was granted, Mepa's Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee carried out an on-site visit and recommended the extension be preserved against a bank guarantee.
In the full permit, the regulator imposed the conservation of the extension without any form of excavation beneath. Mr Vella was also ordered to keep an open space of 20 feet between the flats and the hall and include a garden in his plans.
He was bound by a €1,870 bank guarantee to fully comply with the plans. If the building is damaged during construction, he would be forced to restore it to its original state, according to a Mepa spokesman.
The spokesman pointed out that no objection had ever been filed against the development despite the planning application being made public on the website and advertised in the press along with the site notice.
When contacted yesterday, Miriam Cremona, from the FAA, said the matter was very complicated given that there were many applications being filed in the area. She denied that the organisation had said the armoury would be demolished, insisting that the group was not referring to the armoury but the extension.
The FAA said last Saturday it was concerned "about the destruction of the Qormi armoury caused by a series of planning applications submitted to Mepa for the construction of garages, maisonettes and apartments".
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Oliver Mangion
Jul 5th 2009, 09:47
And not only the Government here Mr. Vassallo. Where is the opposition?
Recently they marched with others at Bahrija (well done). What was their main objective, the construction at the Valley or Dr.Scerri???
And.....after all, our watchdog for MEPA is playing home re the Qormi Armoury issue.
Mario Vassallo - Zurrieq
Jul 4th 2009, 11:32
Who is this MEPA spokesman ? Are you there to proterct our heritage and enviroment or the developer? What about if this 'PAID BY US' sign MEPA spokesman public all investigations done on site.
SHAME ON YOU MEPA !!
oliver mallia
Jul 2nd 2009, 23:29
This is really unfair, and I am feed up of these KUMIDJI !
I have a bank guarantee of 7000 euros (Lm3000) to retain an UN HISTORICAL façade 15ft wide and dated 1940s (01246/06), the building is finished safe and sound and still with out my bank guarantee released.
2 weights and 2 measures ??
Kevin Zammit
Jul 2nd 2009, 23:09
@G Seychell
Excellent question. Obviously someone who cannot add 1 and 1 together.
M. Borg Brincat
Jul 2nd 2009, 18:19
I was actually expecting to read a sum of at least the amount the plot costs... Practically if Mr. Vella is in the construction business, he would afford to pay a small fine if he would see a greater income in the future. In Malta we have guarantee and bail figures which are embarassing...
G Seychell
Jul 2nd 2009, 17:54
Which mathematical equation is to compare '' armoury used by the Knights of Malta in Qormi '' by 1,870 euro's ?? Who is the examiner ???
Joe Azzopardi
Jul 2nd 2009, 15:15
MEPA might as well have allowed Mr Vella to knock the armoury down given the new urban context it has allowed to develop around it. The 1870 Euro bank guarantee for a 300 year old building is a joke. Even a 1M x 2M boxroom in a new flat would outdo that value.
Galea. L
Jul 2nd 2009, 14:09
"He was bound by a €1,870 bank guarantee to fully comply with the plans. If the building is damaged during construction, he would be forced to restore it to its original state, according to a Mepa spokesman."
MEPA tistghu tkunu REDIKOLI aktar minn hekk?
U bil-bini kwazi jmiss maghha wkoll!!!!!!!!
Who can blame the people who always think about corruption whenever MEPA is concerned?
john camilleri
Jul 2nd 2009, 12:48
The reason that many of us Qormi people have not stood up on the issue, is because the armoury has been surrounded by a high wall, since its been built in the 17th century and up to a few weeks ago. This wall comprised of the facade of the remissi [sort of garages], whereby the Knights used to enter with horses into the courtyard. Today, this wall and the remissi are no longer there, as they have been pulled down. Would MEPA cash on some sort of guarantee now?
rita bonello
Jul 2nd 2009, 12:39
This country has truly become a sad place. How can MEPA justify its decision to develop the this unique historical building, with a measly guarantee of 1800 euros! Why has MEPA not listed the place of such historical value??
Oscar Cassar
Jul 2nd 2009, 11:58
Was this article intended to minimize the gravity of a construction upon and near a historical building?
Oscar Cassar
Jul 2nd 2009, 11:54
"I am bound by a bank guarantee not to touch it and I actually included it in the plans for the development," developer Noel Vella insisted…
jista’ s-Sur Vella forsi jaghilna fost l-ohrajn, fejn spicca l-garigor li kien jaghti ghas-sulari ta’ fuq tal-post koncernat u li ghadu jider car mill-hitan, li dan kien fuq quddiem bejn l-post mhuri fir-ritratt u l-ghassa ???
Dan apparti li l-garanzija ta' €1,870 hija redikola meta sahansitra l-bejgha ta' garage fiz-zona huwa bil-wisq aktar minn hekk.
Miriam Cremona
Jul 2nd 2009, 11:05
Part 2 The Mepa recommendation was to refuse permission. The SHC report had also stated that the property (not room) is a large house built around a courtyard, accessed through a high arched way. It has high arched ceilings on the ground floor. The upper floor is accessed via a stone spiral staircase, (garigor) and the rooms on the upper floor are roofed by stone slabs (xorok) and wooden beams. The property is marked by distinguished architecture and bears distinctive architectural features. The style and building techniques indicate that much of the structure may date from the late 16th or early 17th century. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage further stated that ‘the property certainly has bearing on the context of the Armoury.’
Therefore contrary to what is stated above the Qormi Armoury will be further seriously impacted and compromised. Irrespective of recommendations for refusal the outline development permit was granted to PA 03261/04 and on the strength of that PA 02397/07 was also granted a permit. All that remains of the building/property is the room at the rear which can only add value to the development to the advantage of the developer.
Miriam Cremona
Jul 2nd 2009, 11:04
Part 1 Several planning applications were submitted in respect of sites close to the Armoury which were originally in an Urban Conservation Area but which were subsequently re-classified as Inside Scheme.This particular application PA 02397/07 is in respect of the building adjacent to the Armoury.The full extent of the demolition which took place can be assessed from a site inspection and includes the demolition of arches, a stone spiral staircase and the removal of a coat of arms above the remaining room which is to be retained against a bank guarantee of €1863.4987 (Lm 800). The demolition was carried out behind the exterior wall. It was only when the exterior wall was finally demolished that the full impact of the devastation could be appreciated.
Two previous applications were submitted on the same date for the site in question PA 3263/04 for development permission which was withdrawn. The second PA 03261/04 submitted on the same day as the other was for outline development permission. Both were recommended for refusal by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage which submitted two reports in respect of both stating that ‘proposed developments which contemplate the demolition of this property should not be granted.’
Aguis Joanna
Jul 2nd 2009, 10:54
We hope that this historical place will remain as it was , and we appriacate all the knights had left us.Please do'nt let any one harm our Qormi History
Marlene Scerri Tarxien
Jul 2nd 2009, 10:24
And 17th Century Armoury is protected with €1,870 bank guarantee ???? Is it a real value?
C.Scerri
Jul 2nd 2009, 10:14
A bank guarantee of less than 2000Euro! What a joke! Will this deter any developer? Looking at the picture, can I ask who would be so mad aas to buy/rent any of those apartments with blocked windows?