Cospicua man battles to save historic buildings

Historic buildings should not make way for housing apartments in already-overcrowded Cospicua, a museum curator in the fortified city is insisting. John Vella, of Bir Mula Heritage, yesterday condemned a project that would see the demolition of houses in the Santa Liena area and the construction of 56 housing units and 120 garages. His comments come three years since the planning authority approved an application filed by the Housing Authority to renew a development permit granted in 2007. The 2007 permit was also an approved renewal of a previous permit which had been granted in 2002. The location of the development stretches across Hanover, San Mark, l-Irlandiżi and Santa Liena streets. “Despite the opposition over the years by local entities and residents, work will go ahead as planned. This is shameful, considering that there was never an impact assessment of this project, as confirmed by a parliamentary question answered in 2011,” he said. Mr Vella said the project could create a precedent for the Cottonera and Valletta area, which were already reportedly overcrowded with apartment blocks. Mr Vella fears that the project will increase crowding in the city, bring more...