Updated 12.20pm with Curia statement
The Curia has requested the suspension of a building application at Sliema's historic Villa Schinas, after residents raised a storm of complaints to a proposal to build an apartment block on the former school's grounds.
The church-owned villa in Rudolph Street, which also borders Kent and Isouard streets, hosted Stella Maris College when it opened in 1903. The college moved to Gżira in 1938 and the villa, well known for its collonaded entrance, has been a community centre in recent years.
The development application (PA/06948/24) seeks to construct a block of five apartments on part of the football ground at the back of the property.
According to the planning application – submitted by Vassallo Group Realty and signed by architect Glorianne Vassallo Cardona - the apartments would include four two-bedroom apartments from first-floor level to the fourth floor, with an overlying penthouse.
The ground floor is being proposed as a parking space for residential use.
The application also seeks to divide the existing social club into two separate clubs with separate entrances.
The main proposed works inside Villa Schinas will consist of the construction of two toilets, a lift and other minor internal alterations.
'A prized possession'
In a statement on Monday, the Archdiocese of Malta requested the commercial partner entrusted with the restoration of Villa Schinas in Sliema to immediately suspend the current planning application within the property grounds.
The development proposed by the commercial partner on a section of the property not connected to the villa itself was intended to provide accommodation for students since Villa Schinas has been earmarked as an educational establishment.
However, it has now been agreed between both parties to go back to the drawing board so that an alternative proposal can be considered.
"The archdiocese considers Villa Schinas as a prized possession. But the property has been in dire need of restoration for a number of years, and the expenses involved in undertaking such a project are beyond the means of the parish of St Gregory, which administers the building," the Curia said in a statement.
Following failed attempts by the archdiocese to find a way forward with both the Arts Council and the Sliema council, the archdiocese solicited proposals from commercial entities that would commit to restoring the property to its former glory while giving it a purpose in line with the church’s mission.
On this basis, an expression of interest was issued by the archdiocese offering the property to interested parties under the terms of a 50-year temporary emphyteusis the archdiocese would retain one floor for its own purposes.
The archdiocese also intends keeping a close eye on the restoration process to ensure that any intervention will not compromise the integrity of this historical property.
Sliema councillor Zack Zammit said the council would be objecting to the planned development.
“Villa Schinas is a landmark and staple. The project seeks to take away a football ground from a youth centre, which is like taking away the heart of the place,” he said.
He also voiced his objections on social media.
Several residents also filed their objections before the Planning Authority. One wrote that this was a “massive shame, the only part of Sliema where you still hear kids play. Absolute greed and will ruin the light in the street and visually insulting.”
Another objector wrote: “I am opposing to this development, being that it is of sentimental value to Sliema residents and where people from all age groups visit such a place. It’s a shame if we’re going to keep destroying old buildings just so that some people can keep filling up their pockets. We need to take a stand and stop such developments. This is totally unacceptable.”