DCC refers Villa Degiorgio development application to heritage committee

A Mepa Development Control Commission has put off a decision on an application for the redevelopment of Villa Degiorgio in Sliema and instead referred the case file to the Mepa Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee for its input.

The planned transformation of the villa and its large garden into a number of apartments - while retaining the façade - had raised protests from the Sliema Residents Association, which warned it would change the character of the area known as Tat-Tliet Sigriet at the junction of Dingli Street with High Street.

The DCC also decided today that the Development Control Officer would examine a number of photo montages submitted by the objectors to check their accuracy.

The Sliema Residents Association had also warned that this development would deny Sliema a 'green lung' formed by the gardens and would also cause a domino affect of redevelopment of neighbouring properties. The development would also increase traffic in an area which already suffers traffic congestion.