The Ramblers' Association has hit out at Heritage Malta over the visitors' centre being built near Hagar Qim, saying progress on the project confirmed the shocking visual impact of the building, not only on the approach to the temple site, but also on the surrounding rural environment. Reminiscent of a similar eyesore overlooking Dwejra in Gozo, the modern addition in the car park is sharply visible shortly after leaving Zurrieq, the association said.

"Furthermore the solution is short-sighted: the number of car-parking spaces has been reduced by half when demand for parking is bound to increase with the visitor-friendly centre attracting greater numbers of callers to the site. The shameful prospect threatens that extensions into adjacent fertile fields will be necessary to cater for additional coaches and cars."

The association insisted that the nearby disused quarry next to the Misqa site would clearly have been a viable alternative with access to the main road which only required widening and asphalting. It is large enough to accommodate a visitors' centre and ample parking space.

"Heritage Malta seeks refuge behind the argument that such objections are now too late and should have been raised at the pre-permit stage. The Association believes it has every right to expect that, of all people, those entrusted with the protection of Malta's heritage should not have committed such blunders," the Ramblers said.

"Furthermore the argument that the Hunziker design was the chosen winner, also holds no water because the original design was different and, more importantly, lower. The Hunziker philosophy may apply for the glass pyramid affronting the Louvre but certainly does not apply in the case of Hagar Qim. At the Louvre the focus (works of art) is inside the building. At Hagar Qim the focus has been shifted from temple in harmony with nature to the edifice that jars with nature. Whilst our forefathers understood this harmony, our modern planners shun it off and approve a crude structure that will remain an unpleasant scar on the national conscience for as long as it stands."

The Ramblers also expressed concern over the damage being done by construction machinery which has been moving over and adjacent to this archaeologically important site.

They insisted that MEPA should revoke the Hagar Qim visitors' centre permit and have the edifice moved to the quarry. There will be the added benefit of bringing the archaeologically underestimated Misqa site in the reckoning with the two temples.