An appeal lodged by the Sliema local council against the redevelopment of a characteristic townhouse has been turned down by the Planning Tribunal, clearing the way for its conversion into a new guesthouse.

The council had appealed against a permit granted in September to demolish parts of the historic building in Ġorġ Borġ Olivier Street, adjacent to Capua Palace, and add three new floors, while retaining the facade.

Heritage experts and NGOs had called for the application to be refused outright and the house nominated for scheduling, although the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage raised no objections.

The Planning Tribunal this week confirmed the decision to grant the permit, supporting the Planning Authority’s interpretation of the relevant policies, with the sole condition that the developer recesses the additional floors further than was originally permitted.

The building in question has Category B+ protection status and is directly opposite the former residence of Ġorġ Borġ Olivier, the former Prime Minister. A Grade I scheduled property, it forms part of a row of buildings which remains relatively well-preserved despite the development of a number of nearby apartment blocks.

In its appeal, the Sliema local council argued that the policy on ‘infill’ developments between two higher developments did not apply if the taller buildings were at the far end of the perimeter block, as was the case in Ġorġ Borġ Olivier Street.

The appeal also contended that the definition of streetscape analysis in the same policy was not respected, and that the development would create new blank walls, further discouraged under the policy. Moreover, the council argued that the application would have a negative impact on nearby gardens and exacerbate parking problems in the area, as no specific provision for parking had been included in the application.

In his response, the project architect stressed that the original fabric of the building would be retained in its entirety apart from “very minor and reversible interventions”. Demolition will be limited to later additions “of no architectural importance or significance”.

The decision is the latest in a long line of approved permits for apartment blocks and guesthouses replacing traditional townhouses in Sliema, following a spike last year.

The local council and environmental groups have seen limited success in challenging the applications despite consistent objections, with the PA commonly citing existing developments as evidence that a particular row of buildings was already compromised.

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