Planning permission for Naxxar windmill restoration approved

Once restored, the windmill will be used by the local council for community activities, while a permanent exhibition featuring the industrial history of the windmill and artefacts found within the site will be set up in the upper floor

The Planning Commission within the Planning Authority has approved planning permission for the restoration of an 18th Century windmill, known as “Tal-Għaqba”, in close proximity to the Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School in Naxxar.

The windmill - constructed entirely of stone and is divided into two storeys around a central tower and houses a spiral staircase and timber intermediate floors - was scheduled as a protected building by the Authority in 2012. Once restored, the windmill will be used by the local council for community activities, while a permanent exhibition featuring the industrial history of the windmill and artefacts found within the site will be set up in the upper  floor.

In addition, two lifts are to be installed in the tower to ensure proper accessibility for all.

The restoration works will primarily include the hand removal of existing façade paint and lichens, the treatment of the façade with biocide to kill the biological to kill the biological growth, the removal of existing iron inserts and re-wiring of light installations. Where the stone fabric is highly deteriorated, due to the bad practice of cement plastering, stone replacement and reinstatement will be necessary.

Additionally, the works will also include the reconstruction of the windmill apparatus at the top of the structure.

The works will be carried out in accordance with an approved restoration method statement and monitored by the Planning Authority’s conservation officers. The restoration method statement has been endorsed by the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage.

The ‘Tal-Għaqba’ tower was built around the year 1710 and was one of the three windmills built by the foundation of Grandmaster Perellos.