FAA flags possible danger to World Heritage status of Ta’ Hagrat

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar said it was extremely concerned by information that UNESCO was given on a permit granted to build a house within the buffer zone of Ta' Hagrat Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The permit is currently being contested at appeal.

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.  

"FAA highlights the fact that three other planning applications in this same area were refused by MEPA on the grounds that they were located within the designated buffer zone, while in the instance where MEPA misguidedly granted a permit, the land was subsequently expropriated at great cost to the public, in order to ensure that nothing was built on that site," spokesperson Astrid Vella said.

The Local Plans give clear guidelines as regards the importance of buffer zones including that of Ta' Hagrat, Mgarr, where the area is so sensitive that no new development is allowed other than the redevelopment of existing buildings.

"Conversely in this case, a single room is being allowed to be 'redeveloped' into a full house.  How does MEPA justify that, and how can UNESCO accept it, especially since the granting of this permit will create a precedent for the previously refused permits, allowing them to resubmit applications previously refused as well as putting at risk other historic sites," Vella said.