Balcony appears on unique historic building in Valletta

Unauthorised works have been carried out on the unique historic structure of the Valletta Covered Market, a Grade 1 Scheduled building in the centre of the city, Din l-Art Ħelwa said.

It said in a statement that a cantilevered concrete balcony was constructed projecting onto St Paul Street, severely impacting the aesthetic and architectural values of both the building and the fine aesthetics of St Paul Street.

“Din l-Art Ħelwa is disappointed that such insensitivity was allowed to mar the project, which was a welcome and long overdue rehabilitation of the Valletta Covered Market. These works seem to have been carried out without Planning Authority authorisation.”

Din l-Art Ħelwa said it was very concerned by the piecemeal manner in which planning permission for this intervention had been sought. And it appeared that works on the projecting concrete balcony were undertaken even before they were authorised. Although the works took place in full public view, the organisation said, no enforcement action appeared to have been taken to date.

“This projecting cantilever is aesthetically a disastrous addition to the back elevation. It projects significantly into St Paul Street at a low...