Updated | PN motion to expropriate Ta’ Hagrat land and safeguard UNESCO site

The Nationalist Party has submitted a parliamentary motion calling on the government to expropriate a plot of land adjacent to the Ta’ Hagrat temples in Mgarr, after MEPA approved a development permit for the site a few weeks ago.

The motion has been filed by MEPA board member and MP Ryan Callus, and seconded by PN deputy leader Mario de Marco.

It specifically calls on the government to honour its responsibilities under the UNESCO Convention of World Heritage in 1972, and to expropriate the land in question against compensation to its owners. "In this case there is a clear case of public purpose, to safeguard the identity of the megalithic temples of Hagrat for the benefit of present and future generations," the two MPs said.

On 6 September 2013, MEPA approved an application ‘to remove existing structure and construct dwelling’ in Triq San Pietru, Mgarr. However a number of residents objected to the construction of two-storey residences.

The controversial approval by MEPA of the 96-square-metre dwelling 10 metres away from the Ta’ Hagrat temples had the blessing of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. But the same body had initially objected to the development in March.

The Superintendence not only objected to the construction due to its proximity to the World Heritage Site Ta’ Hagrat, but went as far as calling on MEPA to revise development boundaries to safeguard the site. In a strongly worded objection issued on 8 March, the Superintendence objected to the “intensive development a few metres away from the Ta’ Hagrat World Heritage Site and well within the buffer zone of the monument”. 

UNESCO had communicated the outline of the buffer zone to the Superintendence in 2011. “This urbanisation should not be allowed to spread, and if necessary, a review of existing development boundaries in the area should be carried out in view of the UNESCO buffer zone,” the Superintendence argued.

But after a meeting with Heritage Malta and MEPA held in May, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage issued its clearance for the development, after plans were changed to address some of its concerns. In its letter, the Superintendence still noted that the development will take place in an archeologically sensitive area “located 10 metres away from the Ta’ Hagrat temples”.

But the Superintendence justified its clearance for the development, citing new plans presented by the developer limiting construction to the development zone, and the removal of the originally proposed swimming pool and driveway. It also noted that no rock cutting was to take place on the sensitive site.

The case officer report still called on the Environment Planning Commission to refuse this development, since part encroached on an Outside Development Zone.

But after the removal of the vehicular access from the ODZ, the Environment Planning Commission, chaired by architect Franco Montezin, anonymously approved the project.

An earlier application to demolish the existing garage and erect semi-basement garages, apartments and a penthouse was refused on 25 July 2008.

The attached photo and photomontage demonstrate how the new development will infringe on skyline views of the temples, and will also restrict the view of the temples from the main road.

In a reaction, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar sad it was encouraged at the news that the Opposition will be tabling a motion asking that the land concerned be expropriated and urges Government to give serious consideration to this motion. “FAA also hopes that the PN will take up the second issue of the petition which asks that the new policies mentioned in the petition be removed and that the Buffer Zones of cultural and natural heritage are made unassailable.”

Petition

Heritage NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) launched a petition asking that the development permit to build the two-storey building within the buffer zone, be withdrawn.

The petitions states that granting this development and infringing the legislated buffer zone sets a dangerous precedent threatening all our cultural and natural heritage sites protected by buffer zones.

The petition has gained no less than 1,500 supporters also brings to the public’s attention two government proposals that will weaken the preservation of Malta’s heritage.

The first proposal will allow the sanctioning of illegal developments at built or natural scheduled (protected) sites. The second policy being considered is that the scheduling of heritage buildings will be reviewed every ten years, putting these at risk of being demolished in favor of yet more apartments.

“While asking for support from the general public, the FAA petition calls on the Mgarr Local Council to take all the necessary legal measures to stop this development. It calls on the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage and Heritage Malta to stand by their positions refusing previous applications and to take measures to purchase that land,” FAA said.