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Manikata Church scheduled as grade 1 building, modifications restricted to existing footpath
The St Joseph church, an iconic landmark in the small rural village of Manikata, was approved as a scheduled Grade 1 building by MEPA
The decision comes in the wake of a decision by MEPA last month to grant a permit for the construction of a store and religious education room attached to the church.
The decision prompted immediate outcry from experts and NGOs who slammed any changes to the iconic landmark.
Announcing the scheduling MEPA said that the development proposal in question had differed considerably from the original proposal.
“The development has been restricted to within the existing footprint and the original design and appearance of the Parish church is to be retained,” MEPA added.
MEPA said that over recent week the authority also scheduled over 50 other parish churches as Grade 1. Those which were built before the 1900s, while those Parish churches which were built in the 20th Century up until 1960 were scheduled as Grade 2.
The authority also notes that the St Joseph Church in Manikata, which was designed by Perit Richard England in 1962, promoted the new philosophy the Catholic Church was adopting through the Second Vatican Council, whereby the traditional separation of clergy and laity which had been the norm in the planning of churches was to be dispensed with.
“In designing the new St Joseph church, Perit Richard England broke away from the conventional traditional parish churches and based his design concept on both the then on-going liturgical reforms and the aspirations of the local rural community,” MEPA said.
MEPA Chairman Mr Austin Walker said “today’s decision by the MEPA Board, to schedule as a Grade 1 property the St Joseph Church in Manikata, wraps up more than two years of intensive research, studies and consultation carried out by MEPA’s Heritage Planning Unit in the scheduling of most of Malta’s Parish Churches.”
He added “that the scheduling of the Manikata Church will ensure that any future interventions that may be carried out on this site will fully respect the rich and unique architectural value of this building.”
The Authority also clarified that the planning development permit which was granted by the Environment Planning Commission on the 19th July 2011 for the construction of storage facilities and a catechesis hall under the church included a number of significant amendments from the original proposal.
“The development has been restricted to within the existing footprint and the original design and appearance of the Parish church is to be retained,” MEPA added.
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If the approved permit is not rescinded the scheduling of the church as a Grade 1 building is a totally meaningless gesture intended only for PR purposes.
‘In times of universal deceit telling the truth will be a revolutionary act’.
George Orwell
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MEPA again trying to take everyone for a ride!
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MEPA considers this building to have architectural significance after it granted a permit to destroy its architectural value only a month ago.
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In truth, MEPA has no interest in preserving our heritage and the environment; Building permits to destroy more virgin land in Outside Development Zones (ODZ) have been granted recently like Mosta valley and in Mellieha. MEPA only excels in silly PR stunts like this. MEPA’s failed reform is all about PR and no substance, nothing else.
