This week’s unanimous decisions to allow the demolition and reconstruction of two of the three properties within the village core of Naxxar will not compromise the character and integrity of this urban conservation area, the planning authority said this morning.

It said that after thoroughly considering the applications and requesting the applicant to carry out a number of amendments, the board decided that two of the three properties, which are situated in close proximity, but not adjacent to each other, could be demolished while the façade of a prominent property adjacent to the Parish Church had, in its majority, to be retained.

The Board also constrained the applicant to remove the basement levels from the properties nearer the Church and also improve the façades’ design, making them consonant to those seen in our villages.

Mepa said it was not kept in the dark on the advice given by the Heritage Advisory Committee, nor was it insensitive to the policies that regulate development in village cores.

The board adopted a healthy and holistic approach, ensuring that the character and integrity of the area was not compromised. All buildings were to retain the two storey streetscape and the quality design of the buildings would improve the streetscapes that already exist today, Mepa said.

It said board members agreed that not all old buildings merited conservation. Some were in such a dilapidated state and did not possess any architectural conservation value that they do not lend themselves to the current social and economic needs.

“Keeping them as vacant antique objects goes against the principle of regenerating our towns and villages through sustainable conservation,” it said.

The board also felt that the sustainable conservation and regeneration of village cores was all about finding the right balance between the preservation of heritage and its adaptation to meet the current needs without compromising the historical integrity.

“While the conservation of our village cores should remain a high priority if we are to retain our architectural identity, the board cited that conservation needs to be managed in the light of promoting the regeneration of these areas. Neglecting the need to regenerate and revive our village cores can only result in further burdening the vacant property situation and creating streetscapes of dilapidated buildings,” Mepa said.