Two double-fronted townhouses of architectural value located just outside the Urban Conservation Area in Sliema are to be replaced by blocks of flats, following a controversial decision by the planning authority.

Last week, Mepa approved the complete demolition of two townhouses located back-to-back, one in Dun Karm Psaila Street and another in Nicolo’ Isouard Street, which is only two doors away from the UCA boundary.

The Sliema council and the Sliema Heritage Society strongly opposed Mepa’s decision, saying the authority made no attempt to retain the houses’ facades or any of their internal features. Yet identical houses on Howard Street have been proposed for scheduling.

Asked why no attempt had been made to retain the façades and features of these properties, Mepa said it was initially recommended that the façade on Isouard Street be retained, but the developer argued the house fell outside the UCA and included a mixture of styles.

Read more in The Sunday Times of Malta.