Rabat residents fear being '"pushed out' of their street

Rabat residents fear being "pushed out" of their community as a townhouse in St Paul's Street looks set to be demolished and converted into a restaurant.
An application recommended for approval by the Planning Authority on Thursday would retain only the facade of the existing building, close to the Ta' "ie"u church, adding an extra floor for an overlying maisonette.
Residents objecting to the plans have warned that the stretch of St Paul's Street is already highly commercialised and the application risks upsetting the already delicate balance between homes and businesses.
"This particular application tips the balance against the residents should it be approved," residents said.

"Indeed, it will be sending out a message to the residents that sooner or later, they need to make space for commercial activity to take over the street entirely."
Objectors are also complaining that although the application proposes retaining the historic facade, it will replace the window on the ground floor with a new door. This, they argue, would destroy the current symmetry of a series of townhouses, many of which have been recently renovated into dwellings.
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