With less than 24 hours to go to the MEPA hearing for an application to build up a protected old garden in Balzan, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar has renewed its call to MEPA to issue scheduling or an Emergency Conservation Order on the gardens of the Casa del Gioco in Three Churches Street Balzan and Villino Giannin in Għaxaq.
Both of these large historical properties date back to Baroque times, and their large gardens were designated as protected Green Enclaves in their respective Local Plans ratified by Parliament. It is a well known that since developers have been severely limited in what they can develop outside the development zone (ODZ), they are now casting their eyes on large gardens in Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs), green lungs that urban communities can ill afford to lose.
The Local Plan relevant to Palazzo Giannin is clear: “In the private gardens and open space enclaves, as indicated on the relevant Policy Maps, MEPA will not consider any new development or redevelopment proposals that create independent units, including garages” The garden is also full of protected old trees, however although MEPA refused this application consistently, it has now been approved by the MEPA Appeals Board.
Indeed the permits in both cases are highly suspicious, approved in spite of the recommended refusals of MEPA’s Case Officers, Heritage Advisory Committee and Integrated Heritage Management Unit. The DCC board approved the Balzan permit just before the 2007 elections in spite of the fact that MEPA policy DC 2007 indicates that within Urban Conservation Areas, the construction of internal residential developments will be not be permitted. This policy was issued in April 2007, however consultations prior to its publication mean that decision-makers were well aware of its guidelines.
On the 23rd August 2011 the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage wrote to MEPA re the impending Balzan case, urging MEPA to schedule the property. The Superintendence also requested investigations of planning permits on site to “establish irregularities or shortcomings”.
In view of the fact that this case might be decided this Friday 25th November and that the scheduling process takes time, FAA urges that an Emergency Conservation Order be issued immediately on both properties, to prevent the destruction of more of our architectural heritage and urban green lungs.