Mepa clears shelters for heritage sites

Heritage Malta yesterday received the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's green light to build protective shelters for Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, along with a visitors' centre and park facilities. The dire need for protection and proper...

Heritage Malta yesterday received the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's green light to build protective shelters for Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, along with a visitors' centre and park facilities.

The dire need for protection and proper management of the world heritage sites came to light when the temples were attacked by vandals some time ago. In 2003, the Ministry for Youth and Culture had launched a design competition for the shelters. These will be temporary structures made up of internal steel arches and textile membrane, with the anchor points adapted to the topography of the sites.

The tent over Hagar Qim will be 11.5 metres high while the tent over Mnajdra will stand 9.1 metres high.

The permit was approved unanimously. However, Mepa asked Heritage Malta to provide other planning details such as drawings and a schedule of proposed materials and colours to be used before starting the work.

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