Polidano to pay a mere €14,000 for destruction of two unique staircases

MEPA’s Planning Directorate is proposing that the blatant breach of a permit condition aimed at protecting two unique internal staircases in two traditional townhouses in Cathedral Street, Sliema, be made good for through a cash payment.

The directorate, the technical arm of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, is proposing that Polidano Group forfeits €14,000 of a €47,000 bank guarantee which was deposited to ensure that all permit conditions were observed.

The permit issued in 2007 for the development of 21 dwellings, 32 garages and one office on the site of the two townhouses, laid down that the internal staircases in the two buildings, together with the supporting columns, were to be carefully dismantled and re-used in the same development. The new staircase had to incorporate the wrought iron railings.

But when the development was made this condition was not adhered to. Moreover while the permit was issued for 32 garages, only 30 were built and a swimming pool was added at ground level.

The application to regularise the already built development was presented by Pierre Galea on behalf of the property division of Polidano Group.

In January 2014 MEPA’s own Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee objected to “any departure from the original permit”, insisting that the integration of the staircases in the new development was an “overriding condition”.

In 2010 the developers applied to regularise these illegalities.

Despite this clear breach in conditions the Planning Directorate is still recommending the approval of the permit because “the development as constructed resulted in a good quality project”.

In fact the property, now known as the Cathedral Mansions, retains a classic façade design, incorporating elegant wooden apertures and stonework.

A decision on whether to regularise the development is expected on 24 October.

FAA vindicated

Commenting on the 2007 permit, Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar spokesperson Astrid Vella described the interior of the houses as “built in a uniquely grand and beautiful style the likes of which do not survive elsewhere.”

The three houses demolished to make way for the present development were located in the intersection between Cathedral and Saint Paul streets and are known for the historical value of their interior.

The houses dated back to the late 19th century and contained various architectural features worthy of preservation. One of the houses included a decorative hallway at ground floor and the staircase leading to the first floor incorporated a decorative wrought iron railing.

The stairs leading to the first floor of the second house were of the dog-legged type, having decorative supporting columns and decorative wrought iron railings.

The permit was issued on condition that the two staircases of both buildings were to be dismantled and re-used in the new development.

The existing facades of the buildings fronting Cathedral Street and that of the corner house along St Paul Street were to be retained and incorporated in the new development. This condition has been observed.

When asked to submit its views in 2007 the Heritage Advisory Committee indicated that the proposed demolition of the townhouses was unacceptable and that these houses should not be touched but preserved.

“These are prestigious houses which form part of a series of rows of houses all having the same height and style,” the HAC told MEPA.

The committee also considered the construction of 25 apartments and 30 garages as excessive in scale and “against the character of buildings within a UCA.”

The HAC also insisted that the height of the building should remain “two floors since the street still retains its original height and design.”

But MEPA ignored this recommendation by referring to “previous commitments” made to the applicant which had to be honoured.