Turkish ambassador objecting to petrol pump next to Muslim cemetery

The Turkish embassy has appointed a Maltese architect to formally object to the development of a petrol station and a car wash instead of a disused factory in the vicinity of the Turkish cemetery in Marsa. 

The petrol station is being proposed by Cassar Fuel Service Station and will be constructed on 3,300 square metres of land where part of the disused Multigas factory already abuts on the cemetery.

Citing the prohibition in the present policy regulating the development of new petrol stations, which bans such developments within 50 metres’ distance from listed or scheduled sites, architect John Attard has called on the Planning Authority to refuse the application.

The cemetery enjoys the highest level of protection by the PA.

Moreover he pointed out that the site is located on shallow land which experiences severe flooding during inclement weather, something also foreseen in the policy which excludes petrol stations in flood prone areas.

Attard also refers to the fact that the Turkish cemetery itself has to go through a number of structural repairs caused by vehicular accidents. According to the architect the proposal will make the area located in an intersection between the main road and the exit road from the industrial estate, more susceptible to traffic accidents.

If approved the development will result in a situation where heavy vehicles exiting the industrial estate will have a narrower lane to manoeuvre out onto the main road.

In his submissions, architect John Attard described the cemetery as a “a jewel of Maltese architectural creativity”, and refers to extensive restoration works which are being financed by the Turkish government.  

He also claims that the proposal is detrimental to the heritage assets in the area, which include the Turkish military cemetery and a Jewish cemetery on the south side.

Architect Emanuele Luigi Galizia who was commissioned by Ottoman sultan Abdulaziz in 1873 designed the cemetery. 

The Turkish embassy claims to be the “rightful custodian” of the cemetery, which according to Attard is “frequently visited by high officials of the Turkish government whenever they attend activities in Malta.”