The Environment and Re-sources Authority has called for the safeguarded coastal area known as Il-Veċċja, in St Paul’s Bay, to be protected in the face of plans for a new nine-storey development.

Developers are seeking permission for a block of offices and apartments, on a site which includes old buildings with gardens, just outside the urban conservation area.

The proposal also includes excavating an undeveloped green area, which although within the development zone is designated as a safeguarded area due to its environmental importance as part of a coastal cliff, to build underground garages with a public garden and playground at street level.

In its first comments on the proposal, the ERA said the project should be entirely confined within the already-developed site and that no interventions should be carried out within the safeguarded area.

Il-Veċċja is designated as a safeguarded area due to its environmental importance as part of a coastal cliff

It noted that the site was in close proximity to a cave known as Għar tal-Veċċja.

Some 50 residents have objected to the plans and the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage has warned that the proposed height would im-pact the existing streetscape.

The heritage watchdog called for the proposed overall height to be reduced to respect the existing context.

Moreover, residents have noted that the Planning Authority had raised concerned about the sensitivity of the site in a previous development application nearby, even though the plans in that instance did not encroach onto the safeguarded area.

The Democratic Party has called for the application to be rejected, arguing it would negatively affect the quality of life of all those in the area.

“PD stands firmly with residents against the encroachment of public space, particularly for the purposes of speculation and short-term economic planning on behalf of the government and Planning Authority,” it said.

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