FAA urges Mepa to schedule properties in Balzan, Ghaxaq
The Casa del Gioco Gardens in Three Churches Street, Balzan.
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar has renewed its call to Mepa to schedule or issue an Emergency Conservation Order on the Casa del Gioco gardens in Three Churches Street, Balzan and Villino Giannin in Għaxaq.
An application to build up the protected old garden in Balzan, FAA said, will be heard by Mepa tomorrow.
It said in a statement that both these large historical properties date back to Baroque times, and their large gardens were designated as protected green enclaves in their respective local plans ratified by Parliament.
It is a well known that since developers have been severely limited in what they can develop outside the development zone, they are now casting their eyes on large gardens in urban conservation areas, green lungs that urban communities can ill afford to lose, FAA said.
It said that the local [lan relevant to Palazzo Giannin stated:
"In the private gardens and open space enclaves, as indicated on the relevant policy maps, Mepa will not consider any new development or redevelopment proposals that create independent units, including garages."
The garden, FAA said, was also full of protected old trees and although Mepa consistently refused this application consistently, it had now been approved by the Appeals Board.
"The permits in both cases are highly suspicious, approved in spite of the recommended refusals of Mepa's case officers, Heritage Advisory Committee and Integrated Heritage Management Unit.
"The DCC board approved the Balzan permit at reconsideration stage just before the 2007 elections in spite of the fact that MEPA policy indicates that within Urban Conservation Areas, the construction of internal residential developments will be not be permitted.
"This policy was issued in April 2007, however, consultations prior to its publication mean that decision-makers were well aware of its guidelines."
FAA said that on August 23, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage wrote to Mepa about the impending Balzan case, urging the authority to schedule the property.
The Superintendence also requested investigations of planning permits on site to establish irregularities or shortcomings, it said,
"In view of the fact that this case might be decided tomorrow and that the scheduling process takes time, FAA urges that an Emergency Conservation Order be issued immediately on both properties, to prevent the destruction of more of our architectural heritage and urban green lungs."
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
21 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
aldo Attard
Nov 25th 2011, 15:47
No wonder "l - ambjent Malti" is in such a mess.
MEPA should stop missing the woods for the trees.
Traditional core roots within our lovely villages are being lost forever for the name of progress "???" and M O N E Y.
Shame on us all.
RACHELLE D'ALESSANDRO
Nov 25th 2011, 15:36
These are but a few of the open spaces left especially in urban areas. Why build more haven't we got enough.!We need space and trees. Leave them as they are.
Mrs Joe Felice-Pace
Nov 25th 2011, 09:28
When my family came to Ħal Balzan in 1982 there were two protected monkey-puzzle trees - AWRIKARJA -- in Trejqa tal-Papa Alessandru VII. Today they are not anymore.
Joe Felice Pace
Jeffrey Borg
Nov 25th 2011, 08:58
I was passing by the Balzan alley during my daily walk and shockingly enough i saw another truck full of killed trees! So sad to see them go! This is Ridiculous someone should stop these people before they do more harm!
Adrian Borg Cardona
Nov 25th 2011, 11:54
Looks like they already know the permit will be issued.
Joe Grech
Nov 25th 2011, 00:43
Under this administration and its satalites (especially MEPA's DCC Boards and the Planning Appeals Board) anything can happen. They are unaccountable and arrogant. the best thing to do is to take them to court - first the local then the European.
We just cannot go on having our village gardens turned into concrete.
Why doesn't Din l-Art Helwa voice its own concern about this scandal?
c zammit
Nov 24th 2011, 23:45
With so many old and empty houses which should be refurbished and utilized, why are green areas not being given the importance they merit?
anton borg
Nov 24th 2011, 22:34
I hope MEPA deal with this development application in the appropriate manner-by BINNING it.
Jurgen Farrugia
Nov 24th 2011, 22:13
This is shameful. Nature is the only natural resorce of this country
Desmond Zammit Marmara`
Nov 24th 2011, 22:05
This is a total disgrace. Every self-respecting citizen should condemn such actions that put commercial interests before protection of the environment. As a resident of Balzan, I feel angry at this rape of our village.
Desmond Zammit Marmara`.
M.A. BORG
Nov 24th 2011, 21:35
M.A. BORG
Please leave some green areas were we can breathe some fresh air. I do not believe Balzan needs more
pigeon holes as flats and exhaust from cars . Mepa should be ashamed for allowing such permits.
Jonathan Paul Cuschieri
Nov 24th 2011, 21:35
Nothing is safe, nothing is protected...
julian caruana
Nov 24th 2011, 21:32
Dearest ms Astrid Vella
what about spinola bay and the gardens of Villa Ferris?, which there is a pending application to build 8 floors thus suffocating both lapsi street and spinola bay plus the church...
help
Astrid Vella
Nov 24th 2011, 22:32
Yes, I agree, very worrying.
Valerie Calleja
Nov 24th 2011, 21:14
will somebody please stop the rot. The continuous development on these islands is untenable.Sliema has become a nightmare. We retired here a couple of years ago and our life has turned into a nightmare. Will someone please stop the permits.
They have already started destroying the villages. Will no one put a stop to this vadalism?
Susan Mompalao de Piro
Nov 24th 2011, 18:24
We so badly need every tree, every bush, every blade of grass in our over-developed town centres. MEPA's responsibility is to protect these green lungs for us and not to give way to pressure from developers.
Anne Marie Kissaun
Nov 24th 2011, 19:56
I fully agree with both Mr. Bonanno and Ms. Mompalao de Piro. MEPA I hope that you take a stand and refuse this application and listen to the wishes of most of the public. THANK YOU.
Bernard Storace
Nov 24th 2011, 18:21
"The DCC board approved the Balzan permit at reconsideration stage just before the 2007 elections in spite of the fact that MEPA policy indicates that within Urban Conservation Areas, the construction of internal residential developments will be not be permitted". DIRTY WORK AT THE CROSSROADS is what comes to mind here. It is obvious that the members of the DCC need some schooling. They have to be taught what benefits open spaces and above all trees have in urban areas apart from looking pretty, supplying necessary shade, keeping soil from eroding and being washed away with the first rainfall, nesting and roosting places for birds, the much needed lungs where car/bus/lorry fumes abound and so forth. Please hands off and find something else which is really worth destroying. Haven't we seen enough trees cut down to make way for Arriva and road works. Eco-Malta.....practice what you preach and above all we expect YOU to set the tone and give an example.
C Galea
Nov 24th 2011, 18:19
There will be one day that we won`t have space to sow some vegetables if MEPA keeps on granting permits left right and centre,
With all those vacant properties 70 thousand plus what are we going to do with them???
Mepa start being careful how to issue permits PLEASE
Jeffrey Borg
Nov 24th 2011, 18:13
I was passing by this alley in three Churches Street a few days ago and I saw a truck being loaded with cut trees which were coming out of this garden in question. Seems like the work has already started… Weren’t these trees said to be "Protected"?
Etienne Bonanno
Nov 24th 2011, 16:09
MEPA should be the watchdog that keeps the developers' greed in check. It is a disgrace that the watchdog should need yet another watchdog to keep watch over it's actions.