MEPA set to accept ‘minor’ redevelopment of Villa Alhambra

Sliema's 19th century Villa Alhambra, which today enjoys the highest level of protection, is set for a minor redevelopment which would see the dismantling and reconstruction of the façade that abuts on Tonna Street and the excavation of two garages in the garden.

A case officer's report for MEPA stated that notwithstanding the fact that modifications to a Grade 1 property are not normally permitted, the (positive) recommendation was based on the fact that unless such a property includes car parking space, it will remain unused and result in its gradual deterioration.

Villa Alhambra, and the neighbouring Villa Pax and Villa Alcazar, were built by prominent 19th century architect Emanuele Luigi Galizia in a style reminiscent of Moorish Spain.

MEPA issued an outline, or preliminary, permit in 2005 for a more drastic development proposed by another developer, which envisioned a pool and two basement-parking levels.

In fact the case officer notes that the present development represents "a considerable reduction to the scale of the principle approved at Outline Stage which entailed extensive excavations with the garden to house a large carpark."

The original decision to refuse the development in 2004 was overturned at reconsideration stage despite the high level of protection enjoyed by the building and its surrounding gardens.

Owner Nazzareno Vassallo, the construction magnate, presented a new application in 2010, which envisioned the development of a "private dining and convention area" and the "construction of an underground parking" to house small-sized weddings catering for 50 to 150 guests, and for lunches and dinners for the conference incentive market.

But this application found a strong objection from MEPA's Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee which considered the intervention to be "too drastic and not inline with the sites' grade of scheduling."

Subsequently the project was downscaled further and has been given the blessing of various heritage entities including the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, which proposed the monitoring of the works by an archaeologist.

The Heritage Planning Unit also expressed concern on the proposed two-level elevations on the rear of the building, which it considered to be "too cluttered" but plans were subsequently changed and accepted by the HPU.

The excavation in the garden will result in the removal of two olive trees and a citrus tree, which will have to be "transplanted" to another part of the villa's garden.

The case officer has proposed a bank guarantee of €23,000, which would be withheld if permit conditions are not adhered to. According to the case officer report the new development will be strictly "residential" and not commercial.