Earlier today, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) Board turned down an outline application for the demolition of Villa Degiorgio and the construction of a number of residential apartments with underlying garages in High Street, Sliema.

Although the façade of the existing building was to be retained and the developer, at reconsideration stage, downsized the scale of the original proposed development, the board cited that the proposed development will comprise the visual integrity of the existing streetscape which is until today predominantly that of two floors. 

The MEPA Board also pointed out that the proposed development will create an overdevelopment on the site and negatively impact one of Sliema’s ‘green lung’ open spaces which are fundamental to the character of the Urban Conservation Area.