The Lija local council has added its voice to the storm of objections over plans to demolish a large 400-year-old garden at the crossroads of the Three Villages to build six new houses.

The application, yet to be assessed by the Planning Authority, would excavate the 17th-century garden on the corner of Triq Annibale Preca and Triq Sant’Antnin, including protected citrus trees and garden rubble walls, to create basement garages and six two-storey houses with pools.

Alterations to the existing townhouse, which includes baroque-period architectural features, are mentioned in the application but not specified.

Ahead of the close of public consultation on Monday, more than 150 objections have been submitted to the PA, many citing the loss of the historic garden, the increase in traffic and the intensification of development in an Urban Conservation Area, which objectors say will also set a precedent.

In an objection filed yesterday, the Lija local council said the two streets on which the property stood had retained the traditional village streetscape and that any modern construction would “destroy the existing character of the village core”, particularly as the property was located on a historic square.

“A great deal of time, money and effort has been spent [on restoration] to respect the fabric of the area,” the council said.

“This development would be the first nail in the coffin of the area and goes against any concept of restoration – it is just a development with profit the driving factor.”

The council decried the “destruction” of the garden, which it said would entail the loss of protected old citrus and olive trees, palms, irrigation canals, flagstones, stone well-heads and other typical garden period features, as well as highlighting the possible existence of underground shelters.

“The granting of a planning permit to go ahead with the destruction of the existing garden and possibly demolition works would set a serious precedent for further modern development and a consequential chain reaction to other gardens and buildings in the area,” the council said.

“The sustainability of the villages’ typical gardens are dependent on the survival of all of gardens, as the loss of one would have a direct effect on the remaining few in terms of pollination and other environmental issues.”

The council added that the proposal went against local plan policy provisions concerning open space enclaves in the area, and called on the PA to reject the application.

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