Concerns over development on temple's doorstep

Environmental NGO Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar said yesterday it was extremely concerned about a development, granted permission by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, close to Ta' Hagrat temples in Mgarr, Malta.

An application to demolish an existing garage and build a terraced house with an underlying garage close to the prehistoric temples had been filed seven years ago. The development had been refused by Mepa's Development Control Commission due to the high archaeological sensitivity of the area, FAA said.

The application was resubmitted and again refused permission. However, at reconsideration stage, this was subsequently turned into a "Grant Permission" verdict on condition that the applicant obtain a bank guarantee in case the archaeological site be damaged during demolition and construction.

Questioning the seriousness of the planning process, FAA said that no bank guarantee could safeguard the temples from the damaging effect that demolition, heavy machinery and construction could have.

FAA said the site was barely five metres away from the boundary wall surrounding the temples, and the DCC had requested certain modifications to the plans including the elimination of the basement level to lessen the impact of the development.

FAA said it was worried that another outline development application for the construction of basement garages, flats and penthouses at the end of St Peter Street, Mgarr, would be given the final go-ahead by Mepa. This site lies close to the entrance to Ta' Hagrat Temples.

Archaeologist David Trump highlighted the importance of the temples, calling on the state to give the greatest protection to a heritage site.

"Designated buffer zones around heritage sites should be maintained in view of future excavations which will throw more light on Malta's Temple period and no planning applications should be approved in archaeologically sensitive areas," said Dr Trump.

The FAA maintained that DCC board members carry responsibility for granting permits that are not consistent with regulations governing areas of archaeological sensitivity and are to be held accountable for the consequences of a permit which should have been refused.