FAA attacks MEPA decision on Sliema townhouse

The NGO Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Aħjar this afternoon strongly regretted a MEPA decision allowing redevelopment of a Victorian townhouse in Windsor Terrace, Sliema.

MEPA this morning approved the development at 75 Windsor Street, Sliema with the retention of the entire façade together with two additional floors and penthouse as had been predetermined through an outline development permit that had been granted in 2006.

The FAA said this was happening is an area which was limited to two floors in the old local plan and confirmed as two floors in the new local plan.

Astrid Vella, coordinator of FAA, pointed out that in other parts of Windsor Terrace, applicants had been consistently refused permission to build higher than two floors – even in appeal stage.

"Yet now, this previously scheduled street scape of seven untouched, identical town houses will be ruined."

Ironically, she said, this came soon after a MEPA initiative on strengthening protection in urban conservation areas, Ms Vella said.