More demolition has been proposed for Balluta’s Villa St Ignatius, despite pending court action over the illegal pulling-down of another part of the historic building last year.

A planning application submitted by developer Paul Gauci seeks to “carefully cart away existing debris and dismantle existing structure at ground and first floor level”.

Plans show the rooms proposed to be demolished are in the same area of the villa targeted for demolition in illegal works last November, days after the early 19th-century building had been proposed for scheduling.

Mr Gauci and architect Stephen Vancell, as well as the Planning Authority’s enforcement chief, are currently facing contempt of court proceedings over the works, which were found to have breached the conditions of a dangerous structures permit – under which they were supposedly carried out – and a court order.

Watch: Workers send Villa St Ignatius structure crashing down

The PA is separately facing court action from Din L-Art Ħelwa over its failure to act when notified of the demolition, instead issuing a statement claiming that the works were in line with the court order and permit conditions.

Despite the pending action, and a conservation order issued by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage (SCH), the same developer has since applied to create a “public square” cutting right through the remaining part of the historic building.

The zoning application, filed in April and still being assessed by the PA, seeks a “change in alignment to include a pedestrian road within site” and would zone a large area of the site currently occupied by the building as public open space.

Watch: Workmen hack at Balluta landmark with impunity

The PA also issued a permit in April for the “shoring up of existing dangerous structures… in a temporary and totally reversible manner”, which Din L-Art Ħelwa called “absurd” as the danger had been caused by the developers, who had never faced legal action.

Villa St Ignatius, in Scicluna Street, is part of a larger property which once housed one of the first Jesuit’s College in Malta, and which was mentioned as a landmark building as early as 1839.

Timeline

November 2017: Demolition works carried out at Villa Ignatius, days after Din L-Art Ħelwa applies for building to be scheduled.

February 17: Court asked to rule on whether works violated court order.

March 19: Developer files zoning application to create “public square” cutting through part of the villa.

April 20: Court rules that demolition works violated court order; starts contempt of court proceedings against developer, architect and PA head of enforcement.

April 18: PA issues permit to shore up dangerous structures.

May 10: Din L-Art Ħelwa files court action against PA over its failure to act when notified of the demolition.

September 19: Developer files new application for further demolition works.

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