The terraced house in question was built on a plot of land known as Art Tal-Kbira originally granted by the Archbishop’s Curia to engaged couples strictly in order to construct terraced houses and for no other type of dwelling/unit.  This was a contractual obligation which remained when Church properties were transferred to the Joint Office, the residents explained. 

“The application, besides being highly questionable legally, seeks to ruin the streetscape.  The Swieqi Local Council has strongly objected to the application because “if approved, it would result in an incongruous block intruding into what is now a terrace of two-storey houses.”

“Swieqi residents already have to contend with the fallout of the glut of apartments in the locality.  Such apartments invariably find their way into the rental market and are rattling the very social fThe abric of what is essentially a residential priority area.”

“Indeed, all-night alcohol and substance-fuelled parties on the balconies of apartments and outside in the street on any day of the week – winter and summer – have become the norm.  Moreover, reports to the overstretched police force are futile as there appears to be no serious effort directed at enforcement.”

The residents are concerned that further development is “just the beginning” and that their “right to peace and tranquility enjoyed so far is under threat”.

The Swieqi Local Council even admitted that there is “no regard to the quality of life of residents who have lived in these streets for all their lives”.

“For this reason, we are ready to fight tooth and nail and intend to use all legal means at their disposal to safeguard what was until now taken for granted.”

The statement went on to reference similar cases in San Ġwann (PA/03210/23) and Santa Luċija (PA/1432/20), saying that the developers seem unbothered by the PA’s rejections. Both of these decisions are currently being appealed. 

The San Ġwann application was rejected because the existing home is an “integral part of a meticulously designed streetscape characterised by other similar two-storey houses with a distinctive architectural style.” The PA further explained that the proposed increase in height, from two to four storeys, does not harmonise with this established context.

The current applicant is Christopher Stanley, backed by architect Christian Spiteri.

What do you think the PA should do with this application?