Be the first to comment!Shelter project at Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples on Track
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Further to reports featuring in some sections of the press, Heritage Malta would like to clarify its position on the installation of the two temporary shelters at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples.
The installation of the two temporary shelters has now entered its final stage. All the equipment and parts have been shipped over to Malta and have been transferred on site. This is a very delicate project and Heritage Malta has been meticulous in its undertaking to ensure its success.
An application for the relevant permits was submitted to MEPA in May 2002 (PA 02697/02) while a comprehensive project description statement was submitted in December 2004. The relevant MEPA permit was issued in January 2007, with a number of reserved matters approved in April 2008 and again in September 2008.
Measures to manage water runoff on the surrounding landscape are a medium-term action the designs for which may only be finalized and submitted for approval on the basis of at least one season of monitoring after the completion of the shelters, and are being treated as a separate application by MEPA. They are a relatively inexpensive item, which is not part of the scope of the project being funded by European Commission ERDF funds, and therefore their implementation has no bearing on the disbursement of such funds.
The installation of the two temporary shelters remains on track for completion by the end of this year. At no point has Heritage Malta been informed that some of the EU funds will be lost for this project as erroneously alleged in reports. Meanwhile, the Visitor Centre erected on part of the present day car-park will welcome its first visitors in the second trimester of 2009 as scheduled.
Heritage Malta is endeavouring to limit to a minimum the number of days when these two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are to be kept closed to the public. At present, visitors are still allowed partial access to the two sites as a safe area has been set up inside the two temples. Visitors may ring staff on site on 21424231 for updates regarding site access.
