The planning authority yesterday approved the reconstruction of a historic room at the Upper Barrakka saluting battery to replace a restaurant built 14 years ago.
After an animated session with eight votes in favour and five against, the authority gave heritage group Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna the go-ahead to rebuild the Master Gunners’ quarters.
The small one-storey room is the final piece in a multi-million restoration project incorporating the Saluting Battery and the underground Lascaris War Rooms. All the areas will be linked, creating a multi-period heritage park spanning 400 years of history.
Cafe owner Martin Baron, who will lose his commercial operation, had objected to the project, claiming it was just a ploy to close off the area to the public and turn the space into a cash cow for the heritage NGO.
He said the heritage group wanted to use the room and adjoining areas as a wedding venue.
The saluting battery is already being used for wedding receptions – something that is irking residents – but Mario Farrugia, who heads the heritage foundation, denied the new building will be used for such purposes.
During the meeting residents and green groups Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar and the Ramblers’ Association voiced their disapproval at the project because it would block free public access to part of the lower garden, which is currently open.
Lack of public access was also a concern raised by some members of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority board in the brief discussion that preceded the vote.
Mr Farrugia insisted the foundation was obliged through the agreement it had with the Government to operate the saluting battery as a paid attraction.
The guard room and the three gates leading to the saluting battery will allow the paying public to enter into the site as part of the heritage park, he added.
The building will house a small exhibition of artillery and uniforms, a cannon maintenance workshop, a small administration office and showers for officers who are performing the daily noon cannon salute.
But some people in the audience, including history graduate Mark Camilleri, questioned the historic importance of a room that no longer existed.
He said the value of recreating a room had to be balanced with the commercial interests of the restaurant owner and people’s existing right to access the site freely.
After approving the plans, the Mepa board imposed a condition that no water tanks and air-conditioning units should be placed on the guard room’s roof to maintain the visual integrity of the bastions.