The Malta Labour Party has said that the proposed extension of the museum of St John’s Co-Cathedral was “insensitive”. Furthermore, the co-cathedral and its surrounding buildings enjoyed Grade 1 protection.

The MLP Environmental Planning Spokesman, Roderick Galdes, who is himself a member of the MEPA board, said the project as proposed would have a major impact on a site of historic importance in what was considered as being a World Heritage Site.

“The extensive excavations proposed in this project will create a major precedent for a zone supposedly protected by the Structure Plan and MEPA policies. Among the worrying factors are the very stability of St John’s Co-Cathedral as well as underground historic remains.”

Mr Galdes added that the proposed project reflected a lack of vision for the capital city, which was continuing to lose its unique character.

Meanwhile in a separate statement, Alternattiva Demokratika has said that it supports Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar and other NGOs in objecting to the St. John Co-Cathedral Museum’s planned expansion in Valletta.

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, said, “It does not make any sense to embark onto works which can modify the core of the historic centre of Valletta, the capital city of Malta which attracts so many for its typical baroque design”.

“On the other hand, Alternattiva Demokratika understands the preoccupation that the St John Co-Cathedral currently houses “in total or partial storage” at the Co-Cathedral the unique complete set of 29 Goblain tapestries, which are the largest set of tapestries based on Rubens’ cartoons in the world”.

“Alternattiva Demokratika suggests that the St. John’s Cathedral Foundation identifies an appropriate building in some other part of Malta, and sets up a museum entirely and solely dedicated to the 29 Goblain tapestries. This would be a perfect example of niche cultural tourism, whereby a bulding of character would be rehabilitated and at the same time there would be diversification of the Maltese touristic and cultural product – with the relative economic benefit for the local population- in some other part of our country”, concluded Prof. Cassola.

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