The Planning Commission on Thursday approved an application to convert the former post office in Sliema into a synagogue, restaurant and classrooms for religious instruction.
The commission ordered that the Jewish community sign a deed whereby the entire premises, except for the restaurant, shall “be exclusively used by the Orthodox Jewish Community” and cannot be sold to third parties without a new PA permit.
The condition was imposed in order for the commission to waive a €74,000 parking obligation payment to make up for a lack of parking being provided as part of the project proposed by the Chabad Malta Foundation.
The post office, at the top of Manuel Dimech Street, just opposite the police station, will be partly demolished, with the façade being retained.
Three floors will be added to the present height, one of which will be set back.
The parking issue had caused the commission to defer the decision in January.
Architect Chris Cachia explained that Jews do not need parking spaces on site since they are not allowed to drive or use any mechanical means to reach their place of worship on Saturdays and Friday evenings.
The commission decided that the synagogue created a demand for 12 parking spaces, while the restaurant would require an additional seven spaces.
At the end of the discussion, the commission approved the project but imposed a condition regarding a notarial deed that hads to be signed to ensure that the premises will be used entirely by the orthodox Jewish community, with the exception of the restaurant, and that the premises will not be transferred or sold to third parties unless a fresh application is submitted.
In submissions to the Planning Authority, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage noted that concerns regarding the proposed interventions to the interior of the property and to the building façade have been addressed.
The superintendence did not object to the proposal so long as the submitted restoration method statement is followed to the letter, given the historic value of the building.