The planning authority this afternoon gave the green light for the renovation/extension of three houses in the heart of Balzan despite the developer facing a €100,000 court fine for irregularities on site.

The project, proposed by Charles Polidano, known as Ic-Caqnu, will see three adjoined houses along Main Street, Balzan renovated and extended into their gardens. A four-car park will be built. 

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Mr Polidano is currently appealing the court-imposed fine which was handed down last year after he allegedly uprooted trees and destroyed a rubble wall in the gardens behind the properties.

The houses, one of which dates back to the time of the Knights, have also been slapped with two enforcement notices, however the planning directorate argued that the project could go ahead as these would not be affected by the development.

Balzan resident Reuben Farrugia argued that the development, which will see part of the sprawling gardens turned into a parking area, would expose the green enclave to future development. He also argued that Mr Polidano had purposely removed trees and tampered with the buildings' old structures in a bid to gain the Mepa boards approval for renovation.

In reply, Mr Polidano's legal counsel, Jean Paul Sammut, claimed that Mr Farrugia, who lives nearby, had himself removed trees from part of the garden to build a pool.

This was the sixth planning application on this site. Previous applications which all were refused by the Authority included the proposed demolition of the buildings for the construction of 14 maisonettes, followed by a proposal to construction 18 terraced houses and even a proposal to construct a residential development comprising 43 dwelling units with underground parking facilities.

The planning application which was approved today will not include the construction of any new dwellings.