Foundation withdraws project

The St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation has withdrawn the two planning applications for the extension of the controversial underground museum, The Times has learnt.

"The council met on Friday and withdrew the application for EU funds to finance the museum project and the two planning applications in front of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority," Mgr Philip Calleja said yesterday.

When questioned about this last week, Mgr Calleja had told The Times the foundation had to meet to decide the fate of the project.

The withdrawal comes almost three weeks after the Prime Minister and the Archbishop decided to pull the plug on the project to build an underground museum in the square in front of the cathedral.

The decision to abandon the project was taken amid widespread public opposition including a mini rebellion in the Nationalist Party's backbench.

The foundation's decision has now put the lid on the controversy.

Two applications had been filed with Mepa. One was for the construction of an underground museum and another for a three-storey structure to replace existing buildings built after the war.

The foundation had been pursuing the underground option since it was deemed to be more feasible. The project would have cost €16 million with the foundation securing €14 million from EU funds.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com