The Planning Authority has approved plans to demolish a Rabat townhouse and build a restaurant despite neighbours’ fears that the move would continue to push them out of their own community.

The application, approved unanimously, will retain - with alterations - the facade of the existing building, part of a preserved row of houses in St Paul's Street, close to the Ta’ Ġieżu church, while adding an extra floor to an overlying maisonette.

The Planning Commission board requested a bank guarantee of €2,000 to ensure that two limestone staircases are removed, conserved and re-used as well as additional noise mitigation measures. The approval came as a blow to residents who had complained that the stretch of road was already highly commercialised, and that the new restaurant would upset the already delicate balance between homes and businesses.

“This particular application tips the balance against the residents should it be approved. Indeed, it will be sending out a message to the residents, that sooner or later they need to make space for commercial activity to take over the street entirely,” residents wrote in their objections to the PA.

This application tips the balance against the residents

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) objected to part of the plans which would change an existing groundfloor window into a doorway, which it said would negatively impact the preserved streetscape, although it did not oppose the development as a whole.

Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar and Din L-Art Ħelwa also objected, with the latter saying the proposal was not sensitive to its location and did not respect the historic building, making no effort to integrate the historic fabric into the new development.

The heritage NGO urged the PA to request a redesign of the proposal, calling for changes to avoid the loss of a traditional townhouse.

However, the PA case officer concluded that the part planned for demolition “does not possess any features or characteristics which would militate against the demolition of the building”.

The case officer said the proposal was in line with the relevant planning policies and recommended the application for approval.