The site is located opposite the University, across Wied Ghollieqa. Board member Salvatore Mousu was the first to voice his disagreement with the directorate’s recommendation.

The directorate argued, among other things, that according to the Development Control and Design Guidance 2000 document, villa areas, such as the one in which the development is proposed, should be strictly reserved for residential use.

Another argument brought against the development by the directorate was that the church could create problems for its neighbours with traffic congestion and that it would also create parking problems.

Mr Mousu shot down the directorate’s arguments, saying that the road adjacent to the site earmarked is around 40 feet wide and that there was ample room for parking. Furthermore, he said that there were very few cars roaming around on Sundays and liturgical feast days, when the developers stated that the church will be used, which means that traffic will flow easily.

In support of Mr Mousu’s statements, Architect David Pace, on behalf of the Russian Orthodox community, said that the local congregation only amounted to some 100.

Mr Mousu insisted that the church would introduce an interesting architectural feature to the neighbourhood and would actually enhance the skyline of the area. He said that he lives in Kappara and had spoken both to the local chaplain and some of the residents, none of whom complained about the development.

Mr Pace echoed Mr Mousu’s statements and pointed out that there were no objections to the development from the residents themselves or from San Gwann council. He gave a number of examples where villa areas had convents or chapels built close by. He also said that the place had been chosen because there was a large section of the community residing in the vicinity, most of whom live at walking distance from the site.

The members of this congregation are used to living in big cities and therefore would probably walk to the church, even if it meant a 10 or 15 minute journey, he added.

Other board members eventually said that they were in favour of the development, especially because the proposal was not a commercial one and would not place a lot of strain on the neighbourhood.

It was agreed that although the parking issue did not seem to be a problem, the church could provide an underground car park in line with a policy published for church developments some time ago.

Regarding the villa zoning issue, the board considered that the same policy quoted by the directorate stated that urban areas could have civic amenities on their outskirts, and that the church development fitted this description.

In the end, the board was unanimous in its decision to give the project its go-ahead. The design specifics of the project will be discussed with Mepa in detail at a later date.