A century-old link between Valletta and the Grand Harbour can be restored now that the planning authority has approved plans to build a modern version of the old Barrakka lift.
The 58-metre high lift will connect Lascaris ditch to the Upper Barrakka gardens. It will have two passenger cabins with a total capacity of 21 passengers and will be able to carry up to 800 people per hour. Its concrete structure will be covered with a honey-coloured aluminium mesh to blend in with the stone.
The new structure will replace a British-built lift that started operating in 1905 – carrying 12 passengers in each of two cabins – and which was decommissioned in 1973. It was dismantled in 1983.
The latest design replaces a previous proposal for a funnel-shaped lift that had three panoramic cabins and which had been criticised for its heavy visual impact.
The new lift will cost €1.5 million to build and the embellishment of the ditch and the construction of a commercial plaza will cost another €500,000.
The application was submitted by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation after the project was launched in March 2009 by Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt.
The full development permit was yesterday given the go-ahead by the board of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. The permit also covers the paving of Lascaris Wharf, the demolition of the offices of the National Statistics Office and the construction of three shops in the ditch.
Architect David Drago, representing the corporation, explained that the lift was completely reversible and could be removed without leaving any adverse effects on site.
It would be completely detached from the fortifications and would only be connected to the Upper Barrakka Gardens by a bridge. The main structure would include a flight of stairs for safety reasons.
Mr Drago was the first architect to use a new procedure adopted by the planning authority in which the applicant, and not a planning directorate official, as has been the practice so far, presents the case to the board. Both applicants and members of the public are then given a chance to express their opinion.
“The application is not filed by the planning authority and so it should be presented to the board by the applicant. The planning directorate is there to process the application,” Mepa chairman Austin Walker explained before the case of the Barrakka lift was discussed.
Only after the applicant has made his presentation would planning directorate officials submit their verifications and recommendations. Also, any environmental impact assessment reports would have to be submitted by the consultants privately commissioned by the applicants, Mr Walker said.
“In this way, everyone will be doing their part in the planning process and this will help bring about more transparency,” he added.
Mr Drago explained that the need for a quick access point between Valletta and the harbour re-emerged after the government launched the cruise liner terminal project in 2001.
The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage had raised concerns about the original design but did not object to the new one because the visual impact was deemed lighter and the metal mesh made it more visually permeable.
During the meeting, Astrid Vella, from Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, claimed the revised plans had not been available online or at the planning authority offices.
This went against the Aarhaus Convention, which was there to protect transparency, she said, adding that she could not give any feedback on the project because she had not been given access.
But the planning authority dismissed the claims as completely unfounded. “As with any other application, throughout the entire processing of this application the plans were always online for any voluntary organisation, local council or the media to view while also available for the public,” it said.