The developer of a proposed apartment block in Spinola lashed out at public criticism yesterday, insisting his application was not “mega” but “modest” and fell in line with the area’s planning policies.
Is it in their interest that the villa collapses due to its obstruction of views from the church piazza?
“It has been 10 years and it seems we are still where we started. We had the right to build up to the top of the building nearby but the structure plans changed and our plans were adjusted accordingly,” applicant Joseph Cortis said.
His 14-apartment project, which includes the restoration of the old Villa Fieres, has been harshly criticised by environmental groups.
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Save St Julians claim the development does not meet the local plan height limitation as, from Spinola, it will be seven storeys high.
The decision to grant the permit was put on hold last week for the second time after a sanitary official refused to endorse fresh plans submitted two days before a scheduled planning hearing. The case has been suspended until an appeal is filed before the General Services Board.
Mr Cortis asked where the two organisations were over the last 10 years when “we were working hard to get permission to restore the villa, especially these last five years when we were stopped from removing and restoring dangerous structures of the villa to avoid further damage.
“Or is it in their interest that the villa collapses due to its obstruction of views from the church piazza?” he asked.
The new project, which had 14 units instead of the original 21 and a reduced building mass, was in full conformity as a result of numerous meetings with the planning authority, agencies and boards, he said.
This was a “modest development of a few apartments” together with the villa’s restoration. “Should there be anyone who doesn’t want to be led by the nose in believing a dull mind’s attitude towards development, go to the planning authority and see for yourself,” Mr Cortis urged.
He explained that, at the very beginning, he had been advised to start discussions with the St Julians parish priest to “see if there is a possibility to amalgamate the social requirements of the community represented by the Church”.
Discussions were held over the years with two consecutive parish priests.
The first parish priest was against the project while the second priest and the Curia were in favour.
Consultants and architects were hired and the discussions spread over more than five years in meetings with planning officials in the presence of the Curia’s architects, the parish priest and his architects.
Mr Cortis said various options were discussed ranging from offering the property in front of the piazza to be purchased by the Curia, to building the project together.
The discussions finally centred on a much bigger development with the Church also building a sizable area of the piazza. In the end, “the parish priest made it very clear that, without their support, the project will never see the light”.
Due to his unacceptable demands, no more meetings were held, Mr Cortis said.
He pointed out that he believed there were people who worked for the good of the community, who were cautious of their words and tried to give a true picture.
On the other hand, he claimed there were “narcissists who by now must be thinking that they are the paladins of our future well-being” and did not know what they were saying.