The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) Board has confirmed that the informal gardens of Villa Mekrech in Hal Ghaxaq should also remain scheduled and protected as a Grade 2 site despite the fact that in October 2012, the then MEPA Board had granted a full development permit for the construction of two storey 6 residential units.
MEPA said that “following this decision the entire property of this large 19th Century townhouse, known as Villa Mekrech and its gardens will remain protected for their architectural and contextual value.
“This property, which is located within the Urban Conservation Area of Hal Ghaxaq is comprised of a ‘formal garden’ with symmetrical disposition located directly behind the townhouse and peripheral ‘fields’ which were used as a vegetable garden amongst other purposes.”
MEPA concluded, that “a number of high dry rubble walls are extant within the gardens of Villa Mekrech and around its periphery. The large baroque garden of Villa Mekrech is laid out according to the traditional bi-partite division of formal and informal arrangements. The ‘journet’ along the path is enhanced by a number of statues of mythological figures, such as Leda. At the congruence of the formal and informal gardens there is an unusual, rustic belvedere formed in the shape of an artificial hillock accessible through a curved flight of stairs which leads to a small viewing platform on top. Like in other belvederes of the period, this was primarily used as a vantage point for the owners to assess their extensive lands beyond the property boundaries.”