Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has been challenging the building of a block of 22 flats close to the Ggantija World Heritage Site in Xaghra, Gozo.
FAA said that now that the permit has been granted [1], which it claimed was done “illegally,” it is now gearing up to fight it, along with other eNGOs.
In addition to the fact that a team of international archaeologists excavated prehistoric remains just metres from this house, FAA insisted that “this permit will ruin the temples’ setting, creating a precedent for more construction in the area, which will engulf the temples in blocks of apartments.”
FAA maintained that the PA hearing “was a farce and a sham” as the objectors “were interrupted several times, before having their microphones blocked when they tried to correct the false claims being made.”
The eNGO stated that “the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage which somehow completely dropped its original strong veto of the development, had then communicated that UNESCO had insisted that according to its World Heritage Site guidelines, a Heritage Impact Assessment had to be carried out for this development.”
Still, Oliver Magro, Planning Authority Chairman, insisted that since this requirement did not exist in Maltese planning law, “it could be ignored,” FAA said.
The Board then proceeded to vote unanimously in favour of the development with the exception of Romano Cassar, the NGO representative, who voted against.
However, the NGOs point out that launching an appeal against the permit is essential, as following the approval of this permit, “plans are already under way for a development even closer to Ggantija.”
FAA stressed that appealing is an expensive process that needs the backing of all people who care for Malta and its unique heritage.
The eNGO therefore appealed to the public’s help to protect Gganitja’s unique heritage by please donating – byclicking here [2]
Photo: FAA