The Tal-Mirakli area in Lija, its windmill, and the cottager of the windmill caretaker have been saved for now from an intended development.

The Mepa board yesterday accepted to defer judgement on a full development application while the applicant and his architect take into consideration the guidelines as expressed during yesterday’s hearing and amend the plans.

The site in question is next to the Grade One windmill in the Tal-Mirakli area on the outskirts of Lija.

Originally, the applicant wanted to demolish the old dilapidated house which used to belong to the caretaker of the windmill but this was not allowed by Mepa. Subsequently, the applicant accepted to tone down the demolition bit and accepted to restore in part the building.

Instead, the applicant wanted to construct four semi-detached villas.

The problem was that the proposed villas would be built in the gardens and, in the opinion of some Mepa board members, the proposed development was rather massive.

Another issue was the concern that with two storeys, a semi-basement and a washroom on the roof, the proposed villas would dominate the windmill landscape.

Yet another issue regarded a somewhat cavalier approach to the three-meter curtilage especially where an alley was concerned.

Both heritage bodies – CHAC and SCH – saw no objection and the directorate recommended approval.

Mepa chairman Vince Cassar was the first into the breach to voice objections to the proposal, arguing the Mepa policies were being twisted. He was followed by other board members who referred to past decisions where historic village core gardens were involved, such as at Balzan.

(While this was going on, another Mepa board was hearing an appeal that had been launched against the Mepa board decision some months ago against further development in the Villa Mekrech in Ghaxaq.)

The applicant’s architect, Perit Sciortino, argued that the application was along the Mepa policies and would not have such an impact on the landscape.

Former Bank of Valletta chairman Roderick Chalmers, who lives across the road and was a registered objector, argued against the development.

Sensing the outcome would be a negative one, Perit Sciortino tried to persuade the applicant to ask for a deferment until new plans are drawn up, but the applicant, if body language can be accepted, insisted that the application should go to a vote, arguing that policies are policies. He was however persuaded otherwise and a deferment was asked for.

Previously, the board had approved a variation of an IPPC permit regarding Amino Chemicals, an Italian-owned factory in Marsa, which produces basic pharmaceutical products.

The aim of the variation is to add ventilation in the factory since the summer heat and the heat of the process itself are unbearable.

 

Just before approval was granted, an eagle-eyed board member noticed that some work on the improved ventilation has already been carried out. The owner apologised and said only internal ducting, which does not require a permit, has been carried out.