The area highlighted in red is the proposed two storeys to a property in Senglea.

The Senglea Historical Society is objecting to a proposal to add two storeys to an old house in the city centre, saying it would ruin the streetscape.

The voluntary organisation is calling on the planning authority to refuse the application, which is for the restoration and extension of a palazzino in Victory Street to serve as tourist accommodation. The street is within an urban conservation area.

John Portelli, from the society, said the processing of the case was suspended about two weeks ago.

“We want to create awareness about the project. We don’t want the application to go through as the development would look ugly,” he said.

The society pointed out that the house was one of the very few that had survived the bombings of World War II. The addition of two floors would clash with the urban characteristics of Senglea, especially since the property was in a “prominent location”.

It would cut off the light to the surrounding narrow roads and affect the view of the Grand Harbour.

We don’t want the application to go through as the development would look ugly

A number of residents and the environmental NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar are also objecting to the project.

Earlier this month, the Senglea local council wrote to the planning authority saying the proposal would have a negative impact on the adjacent properties.

The council welcomed the investment, saying “the nature of this proposal would encourage more tourists and visitors, leading to sustainable tourism”.

But it said the development as planned would “disfigure the image of one the historical areas of Senglea”.

It would disturb the view over the harbour of the buildings on the opposite side of Victory Street. It requested the planning authority to recommend alternative design solutions.