Store approved beneath Fort Bingemma

MEPA has approved the construction of a new agricultural store immediately underneath Bingemma fort, a historical building located in an Area of Ecological Importance. 

A letter issued by the parliamentary secretary for farming, fisheries and animal rights reveals that the applicant was only registered as a farmer on 18 September 2013 and  subsequently applied for EU farming subsidies. 

Both MEPA’s Environment Protection Directorate and MEPA’s advisory committee on natural heritage had strongly objected to the development because the site is designated as an Area of High Landscape Value. 

“The proposed construction is considered inappropriate due to the sensitive nature of the area and the relevant scheduling,” the natural heritage panel said. 

But the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, while noting that the development is located in the immediate vicinity of tomb clusters of high importance, has not objected to the development of a store in the historical fort.  The Superintendence has simply insisted that works are monitored by an archaeologist, which it approves.

The newly set up Agriculture Advisory Committee had also objected, noting that the new store was not necessary as “it is evident that there are (other) structures and buildings” on applicant’s holding.

In fact, the case officer had originally objected to the development because applicant Kevin Bezzina already had enough storage place on his holding. 

The policy sets a 15 square metre limit to the size of stores for holdings which are between four and 10 tumoli in size. 

But the recommendation was changed to a positive one after Bezzina, who was represented by the architectural and design firm XYZ Limited, submitted evidence that the existing illegal store had been removed. 

The updated case officer report states that the architect had presented evidence that the “illegal structure has been demolished.”

A condition being imposed on the developers is to surround the store with trees. Three indigenous trees will be grown by the developer to mitigate the visual impact of the new structure.