The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) Board, this morning, granted a full development permit for the development of a National Interactive Science Centre in Bighi. The development will consist  in the restoration and adaptation of the southern quarters of the Bighi complex (ex-Naval Hospital).

This project aims to offer a better understanding of science to secondary school level students and thus make this branch of study more relevant and enjoyable to them. The facility will involve hands-on activities aiming for full-interaction and physical experience to students aged three to 15 years old.

The project involves the establishment of commercial facilities and an extensive embellishment of the surrounding landscape. To avoid limitation of vehicular activity, the existing car park, opposite the site, will be upgraded. It will be extended, and will include a second level, set below the existing one, which will increase to up to 60 car spaces.

FORT MANOEL

The MEPA Board also approved the restoration of Fort Manoel at Manoel Island. The extensive restoration works include the restoration of the ditch, glacis and outer-works of Fort Manoel on the northern end of the fort.

All the interventions are acceptable and sensitive to the cultural and historic values of this site. Through this restoration one should seek to preserve the outer works surrounding Fort Manoel to enable a better appreciation and use of the site. Works will include the removal of vegetation without damage to the surrounding fabric, reinstatement of any missing capping stones in disused service trenches and the removal of a number of accretions that are of no architectural, historical or contextual significance.

Fort Manoel is strategically located on Manoel Island and it geographically protects the interior part of Marsamxett Harbour from the Marsamxett side. Constructed started in 1723 under the supervision of Charles Francois de Mondion who was at the time the Order of St John's resident engineer. The fort continued to be used and developed over the years by the Knights and later by the British Forces.

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