One of St Julian's oldest houses proposed for demolition

One of the oldest buildings in St Julian’s appears set for demolition after objections to plans for a new guesthouse were dismissed by the Planning Authority. The 19th century house is located within the urban conservation area of Sliema and St Julian’s at the corner of Old College Street and St Julian’s Hill (known as It-Telgħa tal-Kirxa). It will be completely demolished to make way for a 10-room guesthouse, including an additional floor, which the PA’s planning directorate has recommended for approval. A decision is expected on February 28. Several environment and heritage groups, as well as the Sliema local council, all objected to the proposal, citing the historical value of the building and its surroundings. But these objections were all dismissed by the directorate, which said that as they had been submitted before a change in the plans – which originally aimed at a residential development instead of the guesthouse – they were “not relevant” to the proposal. READ: Landmark Balluta building denied protection by the Planning Authority In response, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar said its grounds for objection remained the same and that the directorate’s decision was “completely...