Works have started on the demolition of an illegal structure on top of a Valletta palazzo in Merchants Street which is planned to be turned into a boutique hotel by construction magnate Anġlu Xuereb.

A spokesman for the Planning Authority confirmed to Times of Malta that following an enforcement order issued against Mr Xuereb last year, works are now underway to demolish “the illegal roof structure at 167, Merchants Street, corner with St Christopher Street”.

The Planning Authority said that the works were being carried by the contravener.

Originally, Mr Xuereb had applied for the replacement of a dangerous roof at Palazzo Merkanti and was issued with a simple development notification so that the works could be carried out expediently.

He has agreed to demolish what was built illegally

However, soon after the works started, some neighbours noticed that the developer was not only replacing the roof but also building an entire new floor structure and making various other interventions, including on the facade and internally.

Intervening, the authority ordered a stop to all works and asked Mr Xuereb to file a fresh application to cover additional development and sanction existing irregularities.

However, despite this order, a routine inspection by authority officers in December found that works were still continuing, forcing the authority to issue an enforcement order, which included daily fines.

Sources close to the PA said the developer has now agreed to demolish what was built illegally before new works can start to turn the Palazzo into a five-star luxury hotel.

AX Holdings – the group controlled by Mr Xuereb – is planning to open this new five-star hotel next year, when Valletta will be the EU’s cultural capital.

Mr Xuereb has already turned another Valletta building in the same street into a small boutique hotel. Concerns have been raised lately on the changing landscape of Valletta’s skyline, particularly through irregular developments on its rooftops.

The Unesco World Heritage Committee has been highlighting this concern for several years and recommending better regulation of Valletta’s roofscape.

ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com

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