The planning authority is seeking legal advice before it can take an informed decision on the reconsideration request for the descheduling of part of the informal gardens of Villa Mekrech in Ghaxaq in the coming weeks, it said today.

Yesterday, the board unanimously decided to maintain heritage protection for the part of the gardens which already enjoyed it.

However, the decision to deschedule the other part of the gardens, which is covered by a development permit, was deferred.

The full development permit for the construction of two storey six residential units was granted in October 2012.

In July, the board decided that the entire property of Villa Mekrech’s gardens merited Grade 2 scheduling, as the informal gardens were an integral part of the contextual value of this property.

Although a decision on the level of scheduling on this part of the gardens still has to be taken, the board yesterday confirmed its decision that the formal gardens of this property and those parts of the informal gardens not covered by a development permission would retain the same level of protection afforded last July.

The Board also re-confirmed its decision that Palazzo Giannin and its surrounding gardens, also located in Hal Ghaxaq, should remain protected as at Grade 2.

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