Insensitive scraping, hacking, re-pointing and cladding caused the “worst and most adverse deterioration” to various buildings in Mdina, according to a report issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The report, titled “Mdina conservation area: Strategy and guidelines”, was issued in February 2001 by the Planning Authority and was compiled following various studies on the condition and fabric of the city.

It noted that in certain areas, “more than five cms of extant stonework were destroyed” and architectural details and elements from buildings disappeared altogether.

Other damaging interventions included the removal of existing plaster over mediaeval rubble walling, plastering, cladding or re-pointing with cement.

According to the report, “a continuous stretch of Triq Inguanez has been severely damaged” and two palazzi were “severely mutilated affecting significant areas of the town”.

The report explained that these interventions to obtain a “rustic look” were considered fashionable.

However, contrary to popular perception, traditional rural buildings usually had smooth and “well-dressed ashlar walls.”

The report added that this type of development was seen in various village cores and Urban Conservation Areas, and ruined the individual buildings and general setting of the area.

“The smooth, aged and weathered masonry should be appreciated as part of the historic character and patina surfaces should be protected,” it added.

It found that Mdina’s urban fabric was “greatly compromised by vehicular traffic, illegal development and insensitive renovation and re-development”.

It called for a better form of protection from cowboy builders and developers, apart from listing and scheduling the houses

There were a total of 64 applications between 1992 and 2000 with development applications reaching a peak in 1996 with 12 applications.

Sixty-four per cent of the applications were granted, 15 per cent were refused, and five per cent were withdrawn.

However, the report pointed out that the number of planning applications do not take into consideration the illegal developments that might have taken place in the city.

MEPA issued 12 enforcement notices in seven years for illegal developments, ranging from hacking and cladding to additions and alterations.

The granted permits cover almost 14 per cent of the city – around 70,000 square metres.

“The major and most tangible interventions have been on elevations, some of which were hacked so violently that they were defaced,” it said.