Din l-Art Ħelwa will be appealing the decision to demolish two traditional houses in Żebbuġ, Gozo, which will be making way for a hotel, four apartments and a shop.
For the NGO, it is “a great shame” that these “very good examples of typical Gozitan architecture” have been sentenced for demolition.
The development was given the green light at the end of last month and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage had not raised any objection.
According to the watchdog, the properties did not have “such cultural heritage value as to warrant their preservation”.
But the proposed development had stirred criticism.
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar insisted that “these properties serve as invaluable typologies of our building tradition, and should be protected at all costs”, calling on the public to object the application.
And hundreds obliged.
The Ramblers’ Association had also objected, noting that the demolition of traditional buildings forming an integral part of a relatively original context of a town square, went against the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development policy.
The proportions of the balconies, including their arches, parapets and corbels were both finely executed and typical examples of Gozitan vernacular architecture
Meanwhile, architect Edward Said, who carried out research on Gozitan balconies, had dated the balconies of these two houses to the early 20th century, possibly slightly older.
The proportions of the balconies, he said, including their arches, parapets and corbels were both finely executed and typical examples of Gozitan vernacular architecture.
The objectors included DLĦ, which told Times of Malta that it was opposing the development, and it intended to appeal the decision.
When contacted, executive president Maria Grazia Cassar insisted that the NGO was against the demolition of vernacular and traditional houses, and the existing two buildings were “very good examples of typical Gozitan architecture”, with features such as an arcaded loggia on the first floor (setaħ) and stone balconies.
Ms Cassar noted that there was a strong public opinion in favour of the preservation of local architecture, and DLĦ had received many phone calls from people asking what they could do to stop this destruction.
“These two houses are in the main square by the side of the church, which is still as yet intact. It is a great shame that this permit was approved.”
When contacted, Giovanni Zammit from Wirt Għawdex noted that the committee in general did not object to the reutilisation of unused houses, especially if they retained the same footprint. The NGO was, however, concerned that the proposed facade was too symmetrical and clinical.
“Our recommendation is that, as already stated by Edward Said, that the facade should remain more faithful to the original buildings (and surrounding ones in the square). There should also be an effort to retain or re-use old features existing within the present buildings, such as arches.”
Gozitan photographer Daniel Cilia meanwhile insisted: “these houses must be beautiful on the inside and would have intrinsic Gozitan architecture that should also be retained, apart from the facade.”
He believes they could make beautiful homes like many others that have already been converted in Gozo and Malta.