Another blight on Sliema streetscapes

Even if the government does approve the Mepa reform programme soon, as hoped, unless there is strong political will to re-examine the logic and honesty of permits already granted, rampant development across Malta may continue.

All permits granted in the last five years will remain valid and could be extended to run until 2019! Perhaps the slow progress of the reform agenda reflects a cynical recognition of this fact among local developers who seek the permissions they need this year under the current regime.

As a sad example, yet another traditional Sliema house was demolished last Friday. It was derelict but not beyond repair and had stood vacant for years. I was concerned about its precarious future given its location close to The Strand at the start of Triq Madonna Tas-Sacro Cuor. The status of PA5056/07, asking for the renewal of lapsed development permission from 2001, was unclear on the map server so I visited Mepa this summer to discuss the file with the front office staff. I was reassured by the lady there that the development permission had "lapsed" and "no extension" was applicable. In order to develop the site, she volunteered that a completely new application would be required.

Last Friday, the on-call enforcement officer told me the complete opposite. He said that all was in order as an extension had been granted in 2007.

As matters stand, an ugly three-storey spike in the roofline of this streetscape will soon appear blighting the area around it and doubtless triggering further demolition nearby.