Antenna proposed on Zebbug parish church

Residents who contacted this news agency and complained that the proposed antenna will be visible from the village square and thus “desecrate” the church view, expressed the same concern.

Residents were also concerned that MEPA has left a window open for the development despite very strong objections by the heritage experts who were consulted.

In fact on Wednesday, the Environment Planning Commission decided to give the architects 10 more days to present new plans. But MEPA has made it a point that it will only accept the application if the antenna is not visible from the village square.

But the HPU was even more categorical, deeming the fixing of antennae on the belfries and domes of Maltese churches as “objectionable in principle” since this impacts on the visual integrity of the churches.

The Zebbug church is a Grade 1 scheduled monument and has one of the largest 17th century domes on the Maltese islands.

Another service provider has already installed antennae, which are “well and truly cluttering the dome drum,” the HPU contends.

Although none of the proposed antennas would be directly visible from the street level immediately adjacent to the site, these would be visible from across the square in front of the parish church.

This led the case officer to the conclusion that the proposed development is likely to have an adverse impact on the architectural character of the site.

MEPA’s policy on Satellite Dishes and Telecommunications Antennae states that the installation of this equipment cannot be detrimental effect on the character of an Urban Conservation Area.

Another concern expressed by residents is that the cables and thick trunking required by the antennas are never included in the plans. This concern has been addressed by MEPA.

On Wednesday, the Environment and Planning Commission decreed that new plans must include details of the proposed wiring and trunking. MEPA also made it clear that the antenna must be completely screened from public view. To make sure that this happens, the architects have been asked to present a photomontage of the proposed antenna from across the square and other nearby roads.

The installation of mobile phone antenna is a considerable source of revenue for the local church.

The Archdiocese of Malta has entered into agreements with all three local mobile telephony providers. By 2009, 43 antennas had already been installed on its properties.

The church refused to reveal how much money it is receiving from mobile phone companies in return for hosting these antennas on its property.

“The agreements with the providers are subject to payment. Considering that these agreements are with commercial entities, it is not felt appropriate to unilaterally divulge certain details about them,” a spokesperson for the Archbishop’s Curia told MaltaToday in 2009.

All income derived from such agreements goes to the particular church entity involved.

MaltaToday is informed that mobile phone companies pay up to an annual sum of €1,000 for anyone willing to host an antenna.