A berthing facility along the waterfront in front of the Maċina in Dockyard Creek was approved by the planning authority this morning.

The proposal incorporates a floating wooden pontoon connected to the quay by two bridges, anchored by sinkers at both ends.

It would provide landing stages for people to alight from boats and use the facilities inside the Maċina. The proposal also features three perpendicular berths to the south of the Maċina. Boats would be detached from the historic building by about five metres.

Il-Maċina, home to the Labour Party’s headquarters for many years, was originally built by the knights as a machine to lift masts from galleys.

The plan was being objected to by the Heritage Planning Unit, which said the building should be left free from structures – including the pontoon – as it “clutters” the Grade 1 scheduled fortifications.

But architect Edwin Mintoff, who represented the developer, had shown an 1838 painting of Dockyard Creek by Charles de Brocktorff.