Qormi Historical Garden Facing Threats Of Demolition To Make Way For 5-Storey Block
A historical garden bearing both cultural and environmental value in Qormi is facing threats of demolition to make way for a five-storey block.
The proposed development will see the destruction of the current garden, which would also ruin the context of a scheduled historical building with old ship graffiti.
The garden has also been said to be essential for absorbing rainwater, thus without it, it could expose the area to flooding. It also breaches planning policies that protect urban areas.
Activists from Moviment Graffitti have already urged people to start objecting to the development, due to the current building holding both significant cultural and environmental value.
“This massive development, if approved, will irreversibly harm Ħal Qormi’s characteristics and the residents’ quality of life, as well as set an unacceptable precedent for future building permits,” Moviment Graffitti said on Facebook.
“The proposed building is only 15m away from a Grade 1 listed building which includes ship graffiti dating back to the time of the Knights, as well as being adjacent to the edge of the Urban Conservation Area,” it continued.
“Therefore, circular PA3/20 should very clearly be applied to this proposal as it states that ‘the setting is… an essential part of the building and the way in which it is experienced.’ PA3/20 circular also states that the DC15 guidance and policies (G1, G3, G14 and P5 and P6 in particular), establish context as a principal element of proposals for development.”
“Emphasis is placed on the local distinctiveness of the urban landscape, both within the setting of a street and more broadly, of the urban environment. The principle of transition design solutions that respect the character of UCAs promulgated by policies P5 and P6 can be applied to scheduled buildings and their context, as per the Assessment Criteria defined in this Circular.”
According to Graffitti, the proposed development also violates a number of policies including the Stragetic Plan for Environment and Development, and the Central Malta Local Plan.
“These reasons are some of the main points which show why this proposal should be rejected immediately by the PA.”
“Allowing such a development to occur will further degrade Malta and all its residents, especially when bearing in mind that this proposal is so close to a scheduled building.”
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