Residents in the historical urban conservation area of Balzan, one of the most sought-after villages in Malta, are upset and angry at a new PA application to demolish one of the typical traditional townhouses that shape the long beautiful historical Main Street in Balzan.

The application concerns the townhouse situated in 55/56, Triq il-Kbira Balzan, and has been filed by Perit Chris Cachia on behalf of Reuben Farrugia. In the PA notification, the authority has notified the neighbours and the public that representations will be accepted until the 3^rd of April.

The application is for demolition of the townhouse but keeping the façade. Residents expressed serious concern about the application as it might create a precedent: “The application concerns one of the very typical houses in the street. All of Main Streets is made up of exactly these types of houses. Does this mean we can all apply to demolish these historical houses in the Main Street of Balzan, on the premise that we want to keep the façade? What’s the purpose of demolishing part of our heritage and then trying to sugar coat the pill?”

The residents appealed to the Balzan Local Council and environmental organisations to speak up: “The Balzan Local Council has a duty to lobby and speak up to prevent the demolition of typical houses in the historical part of the village, irrespective of whether the applicant wants to keep the façade or not.”

What do you think of this situation?