The Senglea Historical Society insisted today that a developer should not be granted a permit to add two floors to a large baroque house as it would affect the character of the historic city.

The society said this was one of a few baroque houses which had survived the World War Two bombing which had destroyed much of the city.

However Mepa now had a pending application for the addition of two storeys (the original application was for three).

The Mepa website says the development would consist of restoration, alterations, extensions and change of use to palazzino in Victory Street as tourism accommodation. However it says that the application is currently suspended but may be reactivated. The Mepa website also says that the heritage advisory committee (HAC) found no objection to the development from a cultural point of view.

The Senglea Historical Society said that adding these two floors would  undermine the historical and architectural characteristics of this building. It would jar with the characteristics of Senglea, affect the profile of the city as seen from Vittoriosa and cast a shadow over the surrounding narrow streets.

The society, supported by Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, warned that approval of this permit would give ground for further development which would further erode Senglea's attractiveness.