Artist
27thMay2005, 07:56
Sliema's oldest building risks demolition
Fiona Galea Debono (fgdebono@timesofmalta.com)
http://www.timesofmalta.com/images/20050526_loc_05.jpgResidents are concerned that Sliema's oldest building, dating back to the baroque period, is to be replaced by a block of flats.
Sliema residents are worried about the "scandalous" demolition of what is considered to be the town's oldest building, dating back to the baroque period, to be replaced by a block of flats.
They fear they are about to lose the last shreds of Sliema's character.
The house is located at the corner of Ghar il-Lembi Street and High Street and, according to research carried out by a number of residents, it formed part of a larger structure, stretching up to High Street, records of which have been traced back to 1698.
"The overriding importance of the house is not only that it is the oldest still standing in Sliema but that maps of the period indicate it was the first in the area," a resident said.
Although unpretentious, the house, with its unusual columned façade, has been a landmark, marking the beginning of the old village core, restored a few years ago and at great expense by the Tourism Ministry.
The residents are baffled by the fact that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has not imposed a condition of retaining the façade, with its two old balconies and baroque-surround door, despite the fact that this was imposed on other "less significant, more recent" development.
It was laudable that the Victorian houses in the area were being saved, even though they were more common, but it was "unthinkable" to demolish a baroque building, a resident said.
According to a report contesting the application, which was submitted to Mepa and seen by The Times, the house features a balcony that is unique in Sliema. "It is one of the oldest forms of Maltese balconies and nothing like it survives in the town. By virtue of this alone, the house deserves to be preserved," the report said.
Such facts indicated "a scandalous disregard of heritage parameters should the demolition go through", the resident said.
The heritage NGO, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, said it concurred with the research and insisted that the house should be preserved because it is "unique".
"What is really worrying is that it is in one of oldest parts of Sliema and has a history, dating back to the 18th century. If it goes down, the whole streetscape is under threat," FWA said. That part of High Street is one of the few preserved pockets of what Sliema originally looked like, it added.
Contacted by The Times, a spokesman for Mepa said the issue concerns an outline application, meaning the Development Control Commission has approved it only in principle.
"Through internal consultation with the Heritage Advisory Committee, following a site inspection, it was indicated that a similar request was submitted in a previous application where it had been decided that the demolition of the building may be permitted. As such, the committee confirmed its previous recommendation, whereby the building may be demolished."
As to its façade, Mepa said comments would be made when the full development application was submitted. It added that all external apertures are to be constructed in timber and any metal work in traditional wrought iron.
Residents complained that an architect involved in the project was also a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee. But Mepa insisted that the committee had an advisory role and did not decide on permits. "All board members are bound by the code of practice for civil servants and, as such, will refrain from taking an active role in matters they have an interest in," the spokesman said.
Mepa pointed out that the committee members received a token honorarium, meaning it would not be possible to find anybody to sit on these boards if they were to be precluded from appointing board members from private practice.
Fiona Galea Debono (fgdebono@timesofmalta.com)
http://www.timesofmalta.com/images/20050526_loc_05.jpgResidents are concerned that Sliema's oldest building, dating back to the baroque period, is to be replaced by a block of flats.
Sliema residents are worried about the "scandalous" demolition of what is considered to be the town's oldest building, dating back to the baroque period, to be replaced by a block of flats.
They fear they are about to lose the last shreds of Sliema's character.
The house is located at the corner of Ghar il-Lembi Street and High Street and, according to research carried out by a number of residents, it formed part of a larger structure, stretching up to High Street, records of which have been traced back to 1698.
"The overriding importance of the house is not only that it is the oldest still standing in Sliema but that maps of the period indicate it was the first in the area," a resident said.
Although unpretentious, the house, with its unusual columned façade, has been a landmark, marking the beginning of the old village core, restored a few years ago and at great expense by the Tourism Ministry.
The residents are baffled by the fact that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has not imposed a condition of retaining the façade, with its two old balconies and baroque-surround door, despite the fact that this was imposed on other "less significant, more recent" development.
It was laudable that the Victorian houses in the area were being saved, even though they were more common, but it was "unthinkable" to demolish a baroque building, a resident said.
According to a report contesting the application, which was submitted to Mepa and seen by The Times, the house features a balcony that is unique in Sliema. "It is one of the oldest forms of Maltese balconies and nothing like it survives in the town. By virtue of this alone, the house deserves to be preserved," the report said.
Such facts indicated "a scandalous disregard of heritage parameters should the demolition go through", the resident said.
The heritage NGO, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, said it concurred with the research and insisted that the house should be preserved because it is "unique".
"What is really worrying is that it is in one of oldest parts of Sliema and has a history, dating back to the 18th century. If it goes down, the whole streetscape is under threat," FWA said. That part of High Street is one of the few preserved pockets of what Sliema originally looked like, it added.
Contacted by The Times, a spokesman for Mepa said the issue concerns an outline application, meaning the Development Control Commission has approved it only in principle.
"Through internal consultation with the Heritage Advisory Committee, following a site inspection, it was indicated that a similar request was submitted in a previous application where it had been decided that the demolition of the building may be permitted. As such, the committee confirmed its previous recommendation, whereby the building may be demolished."
As to its façade, Mepa said comments would be made when the full development application was submitted. It added that all external apertures are to be constructed in timber and any metal work in traditional wrought iron.
Residents complained that an architect involved in the project was also a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee. But Mepa insisted that the committee had an advisory role and did not decide on permits. "All board members are bound by the code of practice for civil servants and, as such, will refrain from taking an active role in matters they have an interest in," the spokesman said.
Mepa pointed out that the committee members received a token honorarium, meaning it would not be possible to find anybody to sit on these boards if they were to be precluded from appointing board members from private practice.