PA procedural guidelines on visual integrity of scheduled buildings and monuments

Greater vigilance will be the rule of the game when assessing and determining proposed development applications which fall in close proximity to a scheduled building or monument.

This approach is being adopted after the Planning Authority published clearer guidelines on how to identify, interpret, and treat the setting/context of scheduled buildings.

Martin Saliba, Chairperson of the PA’s Executive Council said “Each scheduled building is located within a spatial context with which it relates to in different aspects. The setting is, therefore, an essential part of the building and how it is experienced.”

“For this reason, the spatial context deserves specific attention. These procedural guidelines better spell out how we intend not to compromise our built cultural heritage.”

These guidelines seek to consolidate the spirit behind Thematic Objective 8 of the SPED which advocates for safeguarding the context and setting of sites that carry heritage value.

The Planning Directorate, when assessing a development application that is in close proximity to a scheduled building/monument must at screening stage or following the validation of the application identify the proximity of the setting of the scheduled property, make a detailed assessment of the impacts of the proposed development on the protected building and identify the mitigation measures to be taken.

Ta’ Kola windmill

This  assessment process must be supported by recommendations made by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH).

Once the extent of the context is established on the recommendations of the SCH, an applicant will be required to provide the Planning Directorate with a complete photographic inventory and “character appraisal” of the context.

To further assess the visual implications and potential impacts on the scheduled building, photomontage(s) from strategic viewpoints will also be required.

The SCH has the right to request any other information deemed necessary.

The Authority is to make it a requisite that all proposed development that may be applied for through the Summary Process and which may have an adverse impact on the integrity and character of the setting of a scheduled building, within a 50m radius from its boundary, will need to be processed as a full development application.

In this way, proposed works at such sensitive sites are effectively scrutinised.     

To view the guidelines visit www.pa.org.mt