A decision was announced some time ago that the Vittoriosa historic clock tower, destroyed in World War II, is to be rebuilt but the announcement had provoked a public controversy between those who were all for rebuilding and those who said rebuilding of a completely destroyed clock tower makes little sense.

The issue has still not been resolved, the Mepa board was told on Thursday, even though in the same session the board approved an application for the repaving of Vittoriosa’s historic core, including the main square where the contours of the tower will be marked in the paving slabs.

However, at the end of the discussion, it was agreed that the paving of the main square will be held back pending a decision on the rebuilding of the clock tower.

Architect Dorianne Cachia, who will be supervising the works, explained to the board that before the paving works, culverts for the services will be built in all streets. This was subject of another application which has already been approved.

A thorough study has been conducted of all the streets which will be repaved (the project covers around half of the town) and the paving slabs that were chosen are of a neutral palette. They will be marking the proximity of historical buildings and will give a sense of the streets of the town through the creation of an experiential route. They will also be non-slip.

It was noted that parking spaces were being provided, such as at St John’s Tower area. Architect Cachia argued that some parking must be allowed since the town is without adequate parking provision.

At the end, it was also agreed that instead of the two applications carrying each a €60,000 bank guarantee, one will suffice for both for in reality one is an extension of the other.

Earlier, the Mepa board had also approved an application for the dismantling and rebuilding of a gardjola on the sea-side of Fort St Angelo and for the sanctioning of a number of illegalities committed on site before they were stopped by the Mepa board some two years ago.

The application had been deferred some weeks ago to check on the real status of the illegalities. Many of the supposed illegalities were found to have been there from British times, hence not ascribable to the developers.

The directorate, following this, changed the recommendation to To Grant but ratcheted up the planning gain from €35,000 to €55,000 plus a bank guarantee of €102,000.

Architect Edward Bencini argued that some of the planning gain was unjustified because while the directorate held to one school of thought, the applicant, under the guidance of Periti Michael Ellul and Konrad Thake held an opposite view. Besides, by accepting to pull down an already permitted room on Level 5, the applicant was giving something to the country and should be compensated.

At the end, the board split seven to five and accepted the application but agreed that the bank guarantee can be decreased as works proceed, as long as €50,000 remain with Mepa till the end.

Earlier, the Mepa board had considered an application to sanction a change of use at the crucial Salib tal-Marsa area.

The board had earlier decided that this application be considered along with two others regarding the same area which Mepa is in the process of determining as an Area of Opportunity. But since the two other applications sent in a note saying the owner had a court sitting, the board accepted to hear this out.

This application regarded a building which had formerly been a timber store but was recently changed to a showroom. Although Mepa agreed the new use was a better one since it did not create as much traffic, the directorate argued this was an especially crucial area and an opportunity existed to create something holistic, facing the Marsa Park.

The applicant argued however that other buildings on either side of him have recently been approved.

The board deferred to see what conditions the directorate would suggest if its Refuse recommendation is overturned.