The owner of the Capo Crudo restaurant in Valletta has withdrawn, at the last minute, an application to sanction illegal works which heritage authorities say pose a risk to the historic surroundings.
The restaurant on the Marsamxett waterfront, directly beneath the capital’s 500-year-old bastions, caused concern when it opened early this year with a highly visible repainted and brightly-lit facade, and an imposing retractable canopy on the outdoor terrace, replacing a number of umbrellas.
None of the works were in line with the building permit, and the Planning Authority issued an enforcement notice on March 15 over the illegal canopy, as well as lighting, signage, roof-level chimney services, and an aluminium room and planters on public land. The enforcement notice remains pending.
The development [was] described it as “highly inappropriate and not in line with the Unesco standards for the protection of the view and vistas of Valletta”.
Owner Marvin Schembri filed an application in October to sanction the developments. The application, which was recommended for refusal by the Planning Directorate, was meant to be decided yesterday, but was withdrawn before a hearing could take place.
A Unesco World Heritage site, Valletta is considered an urban conservation area (UCA) in its entirety.
Planning regulations for UCAs state that any development within them must be “in harmony with their historical context” and explicitly prohibits developments “which would obstruct a panoramic view from or to a UCA”.
The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, which objected to sanctioning the development, described it as “highly inappropriate and not in line with the Unesco standards for the protection of the view and vistas of Valletta”.
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The SCH said sanctioning could “compromise the listing of Valletta as a Unesco World Heritage Site” and called for the removal of the retractable canopy and roof-level services, as well as a proposal to mitigate the visual impact created by the repainted façade.
The Design Advisory Committee also objected, noting: “The resulting structure is too stark and competes with the fortifications. The canopy which has replaced the umbrellas is too massive and the lighting is too bright and competes with the lighting of the bastion.”
Heritage group Din L-Art Ħelwa was among the objectors. Executive president Maria Grazia Cassar told the Times of Malta earlier this year the redeveloped restaurant was “a crude affront to the elegance of the Valletta bastions” that marred the city’s “iconic vista”.
Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli was also critical: “Views of Valletta have to be preserved from neighbouring towns and should not be affected by modern development,” he said.