Malta's cultural watchdog has come in for criticism after it raised no objections to plans to build four villas along the Wignacourt aqueduct in Attard. 

In a statement, NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar expressed alarm at the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage’s consent, warning that the proposed development would harm the Grade 1 scheduled aqueduct.

The application covers a site flanked between the 17th century Wignacourt aqueduct on one side and the late 19th century railway embankment on the other.

A new road along the Wignacourt aqueduct will have to be built to access two of the proposed villas. 

READ: Attard residents call for urgent protection of aqueduct

FAA warned that this would compromise the monument, since the road would have to be constructed at least two metres above the aqueduct’s ground level, effectively burying it along a two metre deep trench-like ditch.

The Superintendence claimed it had no objection to the proposal since it would be set back from the monument. But heritage experts warned that this entrenchment could create conditions that further aggravated its degradation.

A group of Attard residents have already expressed concern about the Superintendence's stance, accusing it of being inconsistent.

FAA maintained that, as a Grade 1 scheduled monument, the Wignacourt aqueduct should be protected in its entirety and context. Through this application the historical structure would be buried out of sight and out of mind.

Its visual integrity would be completely compromised and lost beneath two roads under an eventual build-up of gravel and soil.

“The SCH’s acceptance of the proposal came as a surprise given their outrage at the Central Link project which is expected to have a negative impact on the same aqueduct they’re failing to protect through their consent of this application.”

The Planning Commission, FAA said, was to decide on the fate of this monument on Thursday.