The historic Blackley Bakery in Pieta', which has lain in disrepair for years, will take on new life after the Planning Authority approved its rehabilitation into new offices and apartments.

First opened in 1907, Blackley Bakery was equipped with the most advanced machinery available at the time. It included a two-storey home used by the owner, Kington House and worker’s housing. A yard between the buildings includes a number of storerooms, workshops and stables used to deliver goods across the island.

The proposal, approved by the PA with eight votes in favour and two against, will restore the Grade 2 scheduled bakery to be used as offices, adding an additional recessed floor.

The interiors of the scheduled Kington House and workers’ dwellings will be demolished and converted into apartments, although the facades will be retained and restored, and the Kington House entrance hallway reconstructed. Two additional floors, one of which will be recessed, will be added on the two buildings to accommodate more residences.

During a public meeting today, neighbouring residents argued that the additional floors would have a negative effect on the fabric of the historic buildings and the surrounding Urban Conservation Area.

However, the Planning Directorate, which had recommended the project for approval, said the floors had been considered acceptable in view of the scale of the project, the considerable effort involved in conserving the scheduled buildings, and the lack of visual impact.

The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and other heritage bodies raised no objections to the development.

The directorate added that the complex, which remains a unified site, was “unique” and warranted special measures to bring about its rehabilitation.

Concerns were also raised about the commercial nature of the project, particularly in light of the additional floors, although the directorate said that as the property currently had permits to operate a bakery, the proposed use would be more favourable in the context of a residential area.

PA chairman Vince Cassar, one of two board members to vote against the application, said that while he was not against the rehabilitation of the property, the proposal failed to maintain the original characteristics of the complex and would over-develop the scheduled buildings.

Annick Bonello, the board NGO representative, also voted against, arguing that a more creative use could have been found for the historic buildings, and that the project would increase parking problems in the area.

Ms Bonello said the area was already suffering from problems in this regard due to a number of schools and other high-intensity buildings in the vicinity. While the project includes an underground garage, the case officer report notes that it will create an “extensive” shortfall of 25 parking spaces. The case officer justified this shortfall due to the heritage concerns of the site.