Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has expressed its ”deep disgust” at the destruction of a fine heritage building to be replaced by a large block of apartments within the Ggantija buffer zone.
In a statement FAA said that ”this planning application was hotly contested by Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and other NGOs in 2022-23, also due to the potential destruction of archaeological remains. When UNESCO had finally weighed in, calling for a Heritage Impact Assessment to be carried out to settle the matter.”
FAA noted that this study found that Ggantija has an advantage over other Maltese temple sites as it is “experienced within one of the most open immediate settings, and gains value from the relative tranquillity of its setting, which … remained relatively unchanged since prehistoric times.”
The NGO went on to say that in assessing the impact of the apartment block, the British heritage expert highlighted that “the horizontal massing still represents a visual intrusion in the context of the WHS” stating “there is still considered to be an adverse impact arising… The proposed development will present a change within this environment as there will be a building of greater scale and massing than the existing building upon the completion of the development and increased traffic movement as a consequence of the denser habitation of the apartment building.”
FAA added that the Heritage Impact Assessment noted several Moderate Negative Impacts due to “The dominance of the proposal and incongruity of its height in relation to the surrounding street scene in views from within the buffer zone of the World Heritage Site, generates a detraction from their appreciation. The proposals have the potential to unacceptably intensify the urban context in their scale and massing and parking needs will result in an increase in traffic volume and on-street parking requirements.”
FAA highlighted the fact that the HIA makes no mention of the potential destruction of archaeological remains, a high risk given that the site is just 9m from the last remains excavated at Ggantija.
The NGO stated that still, the Heritage Assessor warns of the risk of precedent: “cumulative impact resulting from the environmental impacts of a project combining with the same impacts of other past, existing or reasonably foreseeable future projects, including those that may be enabled by the project.”
”This is exactly what FAA flags up, not just regarding other developments combining to ruin the setting of Ggantija Temples, but all over Malta,” FAA said.
Yet in spite of insisting “Our ability to experience the Outstanding Universal Value of a UNESCO site requires consideration of the sites within their wider context which contributes significantly to the authenticity of the World Heritage Site,” FAA said that the Heritage Impact Assessor ”approved the demolition of this fine old farmhouse which added traditional character to the Buffer Zone.”
FAA pointed out that ”he wrongly dated this vernacular building of unusual refinement and features, to the middle of the 20th century, when maps at the National Archive show it to be much older. The British assessor then claimed it had no heritage value because of later additions, seemingly ignorant of the fact that authentic Maltese farmhouses always grew organically.”
FAA stated that ”shockingly, in spite of over 1,800 objectors and many NGOs seeking to protect the Ggantija Buffer Zone, save potential archaeological remains and save this built heritage, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, approved this development – when it is known to block small projects for minor shortcomings.”
FAA said that for some reason, the condition “provided no rock excavation is carried out and that works are monitored by an archaeologist” is not recorded in the permit so even that provision is in question.
”The CBA Heritage Assessment made it clear that its remit was the impact on Ggantija Temples. However, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, in charge of the protection of all Maltese cultural heritage, has proved itself increasingly responsible for the destruction of our identity – one building at a time,” concluded Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar.
Photo: FAA – ”Parsott Farmhouse just 9m away from Ggantija”