Villa Mekrech`s first victims

Abstract

The diatribes between Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority about Villa Mekrech in Għaxaq have confused many who found it hard to follow the timeline of events and judge both entities’ actions. I have tried to get the facts right to understand the villa’s convoluted history. In 2005, Mepa’s Heritage Advisory Board called for the urgent scheduling of Villa Mekrech and its gardens. This call went unheeded for seven years, as it was only on September 25 that the entire 7,551 square metres of the garden grounds were scheduled through an emergency conservation order. But the significance of this scheduling was diminished, as on October 1, 2008, an outline permit PA 01350 /06 was granted for the development of a site that Mepa claims is adjacent to, not forming part of the villa’s ‘formal gardens’, a claim disputed by the FAA. After the granting of the outline permit, an application for a full development permit for six residential units with underlying garages was submitted to Mepa in May 2010.