The President of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, Mgr Philip Calleja, welcomed the news that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has made public the project description statement (PDS) for the forthcoming Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) on the proposed extension to the St John’s Co-Cathedral Museum.

The PDS is now available for public consultation at MEPA and the Valletta Local Council.

In a statement, Mgr Calleja said this is the time for non-governmental organisations, individuals and other institutions to have their say and to put forward proposals on what the independent EIA should be looking into.

“Any individual or organisation may, within the terms of reference (TOR) of the EIA, put forward any suggestions on issues that may be included in the studies that will determine the impact that the proposed museum extension may have on the Co-Cathedral or its surrounding environment and that will identify any potential risks to the Co-Cathedral itself,” Mgr Calleja stressed.

A MEPA notice in the Government Gazette earlier this week informed the public that the PDS for the EIA of the proposed extension has now been released for consultation.

Mgr Calleja added that the foundation has always put the interest of St John’s Co-Cathedral first and it shall continue to do so: “The St John’s Foundation is committed to ensuring that the proposed project will not endanger the fabric of the Co-Cathedral, but will instead be conducive towards the enrichment of Malta's cultural and religious heritage.

“This requires a detailed and independent impact assessment that will be carried out in consultation with the general public and civil society.”