Another day, another development proposal on the Maltese Islands, and this time it’s in Żejtun. Part of the gardens that once formed part of the servants’ quarters of a scheduled 18th century palazzo in southern Malta, Villa Curmi, are the next likely to fall victim to developers’ proposals, with various governmental entities and NGOs pleading for refusal.

A look back

Villa Curmi was constructed in the 18^th century by Paolo Curmi, who later became the mayor of Żejtun in the 1800s. The palazzo’s peaceful gardens are divided into three parts: an internal courtyard with an ornate gateway, a belvedere that overlooks the garden and an area that was reserved for the servants.

The developers’ proposals

Developers are seeking to build 20 residential units consisting of four maisonettes at ground floor level and 16 apartments on four floors. The application also proposes underlying garages, all in the part of the garden that once formed part of the servants’ quarters. Unfortunately, the current cultural protection awarded to Villa Curmi doesn’t cover certain parts of the garden.

Safeguarding the property

Various organisations have expressed their concerns regarding the application. Wirt iż-Żejtun said that the garden has been eroding over the last 60 years, and so is pleading for changes to be made to the cultural heritage legislation, whereby properties like Villa Curmi can be protected in their entirety.

Nadia Cassar and her husband, who own the palazzo but not the servants’ quarters, are also objecting to the proposal. “We need to safeguard the little we have for the next generations,” she said.

What do you think about this proposal?