Din l-Art Helwa voices concern over green light for illegal Valletta rooftop additions

Din l-Art Ħelwa has expressed its concern that the Planning Authority is considering sanctioning two historic houses in Merchant Street, which have had illegal rooftops, added to them.

One case concerns a historic house at 176, Merchant Street, which was recently converted in The St John Boutique Hotel, and has had a rooftop floor added to it which is twice the extent allowed in the planning permit.

Din l-Art Ħelwa said this extension was unauthorised and not permissible or sanctionable under the Planning Authority’s policies and guidance, particularly the Development Control Design Policy, Guidance and Standards (DC15).

It also noted that despite objections having been raised to the rooftop additions by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, NGOs, the Valletta Local Council, and members of the public, the Planning Authority’s case officer still recommended that the permission for sanctioning be granted.

Din l-Art Ħelwa has called this “the worst possible message” the Authority could give, and one which would “encourage flagrant abuse” and be a “permanent scar on an important part of Valletta’s roofscape”. It called on the Authority to scrutinise and investigate this case urgently, and noted there was another case of an illegal addition to Casa Roselli Massa, in the same street, which was also being considered for sanctioning.

The Planning Commission is due to hear the case on October 4.