Cathedral Foundation yet to discuss St John's project withdrawal

The planning application for the construction of an underground museum in front of St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta, has not yet been withdrawn even though the project was stopped by the Archbishop and the Prime Minister.

The president of St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation, Mgr Philip Calleja, said yesterday the foundation still had to discuss the matter.

The project was stopped after the Archbishop and the Prime Minister instructed their representatives on the foundation to abort the controversial plans in the wake of widespread popular opposition.

"The foundation will be meeting shortly to decide on the matter," Mgr Calleja said when asked whether the application for the underground museum will be withdrawn.

He did not say whether the second planning application, for the erection of a three-storey structure over the existing courtyard, would also be withdrawn.

"We will discuss the very question you are making," Mgr Calleja insisted, before hanging up.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority still has two planning applications before it, submitted by the foundation in relation to a new museum building.

Planning application 168/08 is for the excavation of chambers below St John's Street and application 167/08 is to demolish post-war structures and the construction of a new three-storey structure over the existing courtyard.

The planned museum extension was primarily intended to create more exhibition space, particularly for a series of priceless tapestries based on sketches by Peter Paul Ruebens.

The government had faced a mini rebellion among its backbenchers with MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and former ministers Jesmond Mugliett and Ninu Zammit openly opposing the underground museum.

Before intervening directly to stop the plans, the Prime Minister had always insisted it was not the government's project because the foundation was a distinct entity.

The Prime Minister and the Archbishop each appoint three representatives on the six-member council.

The underground museum would have cost €16 million with €14 million coming from EU funds.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com