Villa Mekrech gardens to be protected

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) board confirmed this afternoon that the gardens of Villa Mekrech in Hal Ghaxaq should remain scheduled and protected as a Grade 2 site. This is despite the fact that in October 2012, the then-MEPA Board had granted a full development permit for the construction of two storey 6 residential units.

Following this decision the entire property of this large 19th century townhouse, known as Villa Mekrech, and its gardens will remain protected for their architectural and contextual value.

This property, located within the Urban Conservation Area of Hal Ghaxaq is comprised of a 'formal garden' with symmetrical disposition located directly behind the townhouse and peripheral fields, which were used as a vegetable garden amongst other purposes.

The large baroque garden of Villa Mekrech is laid out according to the traditional bi-partite division of formal and informal arrangements.