The use of construction waste to build rubble walls in L-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa does not respect the picturesque landscape, according to a dry stone wall expert.

This stone will stick out like a sore thumb

“Stones used when building dry stone walls (commonly referred to as rubble walls) need to blend in with the surroundings,” Simon Buttigieg said when contacted.

“Here we have white construction stones with straight edges as opposed to the rounder, more natural reddish stones. This stone will stick out like a sore thumb.”

The Sunday Times of Malta reported that, last week, a government truck dumped construction waste close to a quaint chapel in a Natura 2000 site.

The Mellieħa local council said the construction waste was taken there purposely to be used to fix vandalised rubble walls.

Mr Buttigieg, a 44-year-old history teacher who gives classes in dry stone walling at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, thinks this goes against the basic rules of dry stone walling.

“You must be sensitive in the choice of stone to ensure it blends in with the surroundings. It should not be an eyesore. It must be aesthetically pleasing and needs to be strong enough,” he said, adding that he had been practising the trade, which he learnt from his grandfather, since he was 18.

He said the proper stone used to build traditional rubble walls could be obtained from contractors working in areas such as Dingli and Manikata. When they carried out works, such as digging up roads, such stone usually emerged.

Mellieħa mayor John Buttigieg said Mr Buttigieg was right in theory and it was a pity that the smaller, natural stones could not be used.

However, he said, the proper stone was difficult and expensive to come by.

He said the local council had long had an agreement with the Mellieħa Hunters, Trappers and Conservationists Association, which was responsible for building walls in the countryside, to keep campers away from protected areas.

Through the agreement – that had been in force for years – whenever an old house was demolished the stone was taken on site and used to rebuild the walls.