Latest Villa Degiorgio development application should be refused by Mepa

The persistent and tire­some applications to the Malta Environment Planning Authority to develop Villa Degiorgio at the Tlett Siġriet area of High Street, Sliema, and its large garden, into a number of apartments have always been strongly opposed by a large number of residents as well as unanimously by the Sliema council, the Sliema Residents Association and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar.

As the latest application (PA 01599/08) comes under final consideration on May 3, Mepa’s own Planning Directorate and Heritage Advisory Committee have already expressed themselves against the proposed development, which would otherwise irrevocably ruin the predominant two-storey height of the Urban Conservation streetscape and the visual integrity of the area skyline.

Moreover, it is also very gratifying to note that a committee of the standing of the Mepa Executive Committee has recommended that the existing building height of two storeys should not be exceeded so as to preserve the existing skyline. This correct interpretation of Structure Plan Policy UCO 10 deserves recognition from long-suffering Sliema residents.

Since this pending application would extend into the back gardens, it also contravenes head-on the fundamental principle of preservation of gardens in urban cores, as recommended in Part B of the DCC guidelines within Urban Conservation Areas.

The area under threat is characterised by a large open space (green lung) at the back of a row of houses in High Street, all having the same building depth from the building alignment, and all with extensive, beautiful old gardens, that link up together.

By refusing this application to build up one of Sliema’s few surviving large garden areas, the new Environment and Planning Commission would be respecting Mepa’s mission statement, and giving us residents a decent quality of life.