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Julian Manduca
The Astronomical Society Of Malta had once earmarked the site for an astro observatory, but now it will be turned into villas complete with swimming pools.
MaltaToday reported last week how two individuals, Charles Agius and Anton Camilleri have obtained planning permits to change former military barracks into residential units, against the recommendation of MEPA’s planning directorate. They may well not be alone. A third applicant has applied to convert part of the barracks into a residence and construct a swimming pool.
The applicant is Robert Farrugia Vella and once again his architects are Demicoli and Associates. Farrugia’s application was to be decided upon on 24 January of this year, but has been deferred.
As a reason for deferral MEPA noted that the case officer is to attach the files of four similar applications for development that were approved in the same barracks, those of Camilleri and Agius.
The Astronomical Society of Malta wanted the former barracks turned into an astro observatory because it is one of the few remaining parts of Malta that is without lights and would be ideal to star gaze.
Several years later they now discover that the site will be turned into villas.
According to case officer Ivan Fava, who is responsible for Farrugia Vella’s application, a permit should be refused in the first instance because: “In view of the proposed first floor, the proposed development fails to respect the integrity of both the former military barrack itself and the wider context in which it is located, leading to an impoverished architectural and historical character.
“The proposal therefore runs counter to the objectives of Structure Plan policies UCO 7 and UCO 11, and to Policy PLP 20: Development Control Guidance - Developments Outside Built-up Areas.”
The planning expert found several other reasons for which the application should be dismissed including that the proposed swimming pool and hard landscaped areas would affect uncommitted land outside the building's original footprint, and would be against policies relates to developments outside built-up areas.
Fava noted that the site is located within a Level 3 Area of Ecological Importance.
He wrote in his report: The proposal would therefore adversely affect the area, hinder its protection, and run counter to the rural conservation and ecological objectives of the Structure Plan.
Fava has told the DCC that the proposal runs counter to the objectives of the North West Local Plan policies and that the proposed total floor space exceeds the maximum limit of 150 square metres set out in the Development Control Guidance: Developments Outside Built-up Areas.
The land in question is not public land as would usually be the case where military barracks are located and the ministry responsible for lands told MaltaToday: “This property is not shown on records kept at the Estate Management Department as being government owned, and was never surrendered to government by the services.
“As in a number of other cases, it could be that the services had made arrangements with private owners to construct barracks without ever purchasing the land.”
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