Apartment block decision ‘causing havoc’ in planning

A controversial planning authority decision allowing a modern four-storey apartment block to be built in an old area of Xemxija sets a dangerous precedent and risks “causing havoc in the sphere of planning law”, according to a lawyer representing residents.
The Mepa appeals tribunal yesterday overturned a previous decision to block a 2009 application which would demolish existing apartments in Triq is-Simar on the Xemxija waterfront to construct a new four-storey block.
The area is characterised by two-storey detached villas built in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which were designed in a terraced fashion that follows the natural topography as it slopes down towards the coast.

In its original decision to block the development, Mepa had made reference to policies BEN 1 and BEN 2, which prohibit developments which are “incompatible with the good urban design, natural heritage and environmental characteristics of an area”.
The board argued that the proposed building would constitute an over-development given the character and existing context of the area.
In an appeal, however, the developers argued that the two policies should not be applicable as the area had been zoned by the...