The Planning Authority is being urged to refuse an application for the construction of 30 apartments over a 250 year-old baroque scheduled garden in Għaxaq when the project comes up for discussions on Thursday.

Apart from the case officer, who is recommending its refusal, the application caused an outcry which resulted in hundreds of objections being filed with the Planning Authority. 

Filed by Michael Paris on behalf of the heirs of the late Mary Paris, the proposal seeks to excavate basement level of garages, the construction of 30 residential units over five levels, including the penthouse level, and the restoration of garden area. 

The site is in Triq Il-Ħatem, Għaxaq. 

The area forms part of Palazzo Giannin, a 250 year-old palazzo, which is a Grade 2 scheduled property that includes baroque architectural decorations. 

It is a protected green enclave with a number of trees that are also protected. 

The original application was filed in 2004 and refused in 2008. A request for reconsideration was filed and again refused in 2010. However, later that year, the matter was overturned at appeals stage when the Planning Appeals Board issued an outline permit for a maximum of 30 units spread over three separate blocks with a building height of three floors.  

The garden contains oaks, olive trees and Aleppo pines that are protected and cannot be felled.The garden contains oaks, olive trees and Aleppo pines that are protected and cannot be felled.

Subsequently, in 2013, the 18th-century baroque building, including its garden, was scheduled Grade 2, which means that some development is allowed but the outer structure must be preserved.

The submissions received by the Planning Authority say that Malta had already lost many of its trees and fertile soil, and so many of its remaining beautiful gardens. 

Read: FAA misleading the public

Objectors, among them Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, claimed that the garden of Palazzo Giannin along with those of Villa Mekrech and Ġnien tal-Kmand, are historical green enclaves in Għaxaq. 

The proposal prompted a barrage of complaints including a petition from Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar which has been endorsed by almost 2,000 objectors. The Palazzo Giannin garden serves as a landmark of the village. 

All three gardens are marked as a green enclave and designated as ‘Private Gardens Meriting Protection’. 

The policy specifically states that: “PA will not consider any new development or redevelopment proposals that create independent residential/non-residential units, including garages for the parking of vehicles.” 

It goes on to state that any development considered “must not compromise the openness of the enclave” and “should be minimal and in no case exceed 15% of the total soil and planted area”.

“Three five-storey stand-alone apartment blocks obliterating the environs to a fraction of its original form can under no circumstances be deemed sensitive and appropriate to the character of a baroque garden.

The developer, in fact, declined to mention in the application the existence of an ancient arched well beneath the garden,” the objectors insisted. 

The project, they said, would exacerbate the existent parking problem as only 30 parking spaces were being created for the 30 apartments. 

The garden contains oaks, olive trees and Aleppo pines that are protected and cannot be felled. 

“The development will effectively reduce the Grade 2 scheduled garden to less than 20% of its original size, making the PA’s 2013 decision to warrant it protection through scheduling meaningless,” the objectors continued.

Read: Proposed six-storey blocks ‘could destroy Għaxaq skyline

The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage also objected to the proposed development, insisting on more information. 

However, the Superintendence never objected formally to the proposed project. 

Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar committee member Astrid Vella said the Superintendence had inspected a little house next to Palazzo Giannin three times, making recommendations to scale down the proposed development, but had not commented on the Palazzo Giannin project.

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