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James Debono
A World War II military command post that has been included in the new building zones, is presently being used as a drug den after lying in a state of neglect for years.
The command post, in an area opposite the Maghluq reserve in Marsaskala, is one of several historical landmarks scheduled by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in 1997 which have been included in the new development zones.
A site visit by MaltaToday this week revealed that despite being protected these sites have been left in a state of neglect.
Inside the historical building various paraphernalia of drug abuse can be found, such as syringes and other objects used for heroin abuse, and mattresses. The inside of the building is sprayed with graffiti.
The site is also surrounded by illegal building development and serves as a dumping site for cranes and vans.
The command post is popularly known as it-Trencies and is considered to be of outstanding military importance due to its peculiar architectural features. The historical sites lie right down Lorry Sant street and just opposite the Maghluq nature reserve.
Now that the site has been included in rationalisation exercise, these heritage sites are destined to end up covered by plots.
The building is also surrounded by a well kept pigeon loft, known to locals as the Torri ta’ Pannellu, as well as various other rustic structures which include a rare example of an old pigsty which could date to the late medieval period. Part of the pigsty’s roof has collapsed.
This area including these historical structures was scheduled by MEPA in 1997. The pigeon loft and the military post presently lie outside development boundaries. Last year MEPA had issued an enforcement order against illegal structures next to the historical structures.
A year later there is no sign of enforcement and the illegal structures are still there.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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