Call for height limits within historic cities

The decision to demolish the top floors of the new judiciary chambers in Valletta highlights the pressing need to establish height limits for buildings in the capital and other historical cities, according to environmental organisations.

The call came after the government decided to demolish and rebuild as a recessed extension the extra floors on the controversial building that sits between Old Bakery and Strait Street. The building is also meant to house the Family Court

The call, originally made by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, was supported by Din l-Art Ħelwa and the Chamber of Architects, which had slammed the new building.

The chamber’s president, Vince Cassar, said that “such construction should have never been granted approval in the first place”. However, following the welcome decision to go back on the planned development, the government should now consider introducing height limitations to avoid similar situations in the future.

FAA is calling for the establishment of benchmarks in Valletta, Floriana, Mdina and the three cities.

“The Malta Environment and Planning Authority board must ensure that all existing policies and regulations are taken into account, especially when the case officer’s recommendation is being overturned,” FAA said.

The project had been recommended for refusal by the planning directorate after the government submitted an application in 2001. The Development Control Commission overturned the recommendation and granted the permit after asking the developer to remove a bridge linking the new chambers to the law courts.

FAA said it was worried that the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage were not being consulted on all cases of a sensitive nature.

DLĦ said the authorities had shown maturity and responsibility in acknowledging that they made a mistake. It was now time to set height limitations to ensure that Valletta’s skyline was not compromised.