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James Debono
Maintenance works in the Madonna tac-Cintura chapel in M’Scala, which forms part the existing parish home, were conducted without a MEPA permit.
The building dates back to the late 19th century.
Photos taken by MaltaToday show a skip full of rubble and wooden items taken from the chapel during these works.
“Apparently the works are not covered by a permit as the application is still being processed by the case officer awaiting further information from applicant,” a MEPA spokesperson told MaltaToday. “It seems that any works in hand are without permit and the case has been passed on to MEPA’s enforcement unit for investigation.”
The case is also being investigated by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage.
But parish priest Fr Martin Micallef insists that he had informed MEPA’s heritage committee before starting maintenance works which include stripping the chapel walls. Fr Micalled had applied to demolish the existing salt laden building and reconstruct new parish house.
In view of this application, MEPA’s Heritage Advisory committee inspected the site two weeks ago. The HAC decreed that following this inspection they have no objection to the application as long as the chapel itself and the walls facing Triq Zonqor are kept in their present state. It also recommends that the wall facing Triq San Gorg is rebuilt as a replica of the existing one .
Fr Micallef told MaltaToday that he has no intention to demolish the chapel which he intends to transform into a centre of worship where the Eucharist will be exposed for adoration. An earlier application to conduct these works was already granted by MEPA’s Development Control Commission in May 1998, despite a negative recommendation of the planning directorate. Since then, however, the permit has expired.
In 1998 MEPA’s Planning Directorate decreed that the building had considerable local charm and was worthy of preservation. The building in question is listed in the National Heritage Protective Inventory.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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