Valletta's roofscape remains under threat despite Planning Authority intervention to dismantle an illegal structure built in Valletta by magnate Anġlu Xuereb, Din L-Art Ħelwa have said. 

The PA yesterday confirmed that Mr Xuereb was being made to remove an illegal structure he built on the roof of a palazzo on Merchants Street. 

In a statement commending that decision, heritage NGO Din L-Art Ħelwa nevertheless noted that the capital city's roofscape remained under "severe pressure". 

It highlighed concerns about a proposed rooftop addition round the corner from Mr Xuereb's structure, at Palazzo Conte on the corner of St Christopher street and Frederick street. The case is currently under appeal with a decision due at the end of November, but Din L-Art Ħelwa said that residents had nevertheless already been informed that works would begin shortly. 

"The proposed rooftop addition would create large party walls rising higher than adjacent properties on both sides of the corner property, and is therefore in breach of current planning policies," the NGO said in a statement.