Updated 3pm
The Mepa board has refused a permit for the placement of the monument of the Four Knights at City Gate, Valletta.
Ten board members voted against the permit and only three were in favour.
During this afternoon's meeting various objections were raised, with board member Ryan Callus MP saying it would clash with the Piano project. He noted Valletta was a World Heritage City and decisions had to respect that title.
He also pointed out that while the planning authority’s cultural heritage advisory board had objected to the proposal, the national Superintendence of Cultural Heritage had not objected on condition the monument was reversible and would not impact the architectural values of the City Gate Project.
Mr Callus pointed out planning laws related to Valletta refers to the City’s open spaces that any development proposal needed to respect. He said the Renzo Piano has come under attack since the monument cannot be considered in isolation and had to take into the consideration the possible location of hawkers’ stalls in the vicinity.
Timothy Gambin, another board member, said granting such a permit would set a dangerous precedent. He countered comments made in the presentation by the architect on behalf of the applicant - the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation – that the Knights’ figures commemorate the defenders of the City. Mr Gambin pointed out the knights never defended Valletta and ran off when the French invaded Malta.
Mr Grima was present at the hearing to defend his work, saying it was inspired by the “spirit of Valletta as a City of the Knights” and disagreed it would impinge on the Piano project. Yet critics and experts have argued the monument by Gozitan artist John Grima is too traditional when compared to the minimalist look of the refurbished entrance to the capital city.
Amid growing opposition, Valletta mayor Alexei Dingli said Valletta did not need such a monument at its entrance to remind people of its history since every corner of the City reminded people of the Knights of Malta.
The Office of the Prime Minister had acknowledged “the public outcry” but countered the monument was commissioned by the Nationalist administration.
The monument was originally intended for the Pjazza de Valette, but Mepa objected due to the historic wall which forms part of the St Catherine of Italy Church.
Almost a year ago, an application was filed by the chairman of the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, to place it opposite the new Parliament.
The controversy follows another public outcry to place hawkers’ stalls in the vicinity, in Ordnance Street.