Polidano starts dismantling his illegal Knights’ era folly

Charles Polidano, the construction magnate whose Montekristo estate in Safi is riddled with planning illegalities, has started to dismantle the so called ‘Falcon Tower’, a replica of the 17th-century De Redin tower.

The dismantling is taking place on instructions received by the Planning Authority, with whom Polidano is in negotiations to settle outstanding illegalities on his Montekristo estate.

Dismantling underway...

The estate serves as a conference centre but also hosts an illegal zoo that was recently closed down after a wild cat lashed out at a child – the second incident that finally led to the zoo’s shuttering.

“Charles Polidano stated that it is with regret that such a prestigious monument replicating the De Redin tower was not passed over to an NGO as he offered to the authorities,” legal advisor Jean Paul Sammut said. “However MEPA insisted that this must be demolished, therefore he had no alternative but to commence the demolishing and dismantling works as instructed.”

Sammut was formerly CEO of Montekristo Estates, but tendered his resignation earlier this month. He is now group legal advisor.