Architects to PA: Stop the half-truths and do your job

Updated 1pm - Added Church Environment Commission condemnation The Planning Authority has been accused of violating its legal obligations and resorting to "false statements and half-truths" by the country's architectural lobby.  In a statement, the Chamber of Architects and Civil Engineers said that recent cases of demolition works at the old Sea Malta building as well as Villa St Ignatius in Balluta showed how the PA was either incompetent or complicit.  The PA, the Chamber said, seemed intent on ignoring any conservation-worthy developments unless they were specifically scheduled.  “Sadly, the lack of scheduling appears to be considered as a licence for wholesale destruction and obliteration of our fragile heritage, which goes well beyond the formal list of scheduled properties,” it said. WATCH: Workers send wooden balcony at Villa St Ignatius crashing down Parts of the old Sea Malta/NAAFI building in Marsa began being demolished by Enemalta contractors last month, prompting outrage by the Chamber, Din l-Art Ħelwa and Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar. Separately, Times of Malta reported last week that workers had started demolishing parts of Villa St Ignatius. Work momentarily...