PA refuses Gaffarena’s old people home in Birgu valley

In a meeting held yesterday the Planning Authority’s Board decided to reject an application for an old people’s home outside the development zone.

The project was proposed by St Paul’s Residential Homes, a company owned by Joseph Gaffarena.

The case officer had deemed the home, that was being proposed on the side of the Tal-Hawli Valley, to be in breach of the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED).

The 2770 sq.m site is designated as an area of scientific or ecological importance and includes a number of mature trees.

Tal-Hawli Valley

As proposed the home would have consisted of 49 rooms, over four levels above ground, and two basement levels.

The proposal was deemed unacceptable by the Environment and Resources Authority, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and the Design Advisory Committee.

Apart from its ecological impact, the proposal was deemed to be inappropriate for an area designated as having a high landscape value with a view of the Harbour Fortifications and the adjacent military glacis in Birgu.