Application near Hagar Qim objected to by heritage watchdogs goes before PA Board on Thursday
A planning application to replace a restaurant that Malta's heritage watchdogs have said would have "a negative impact on the outstanding universal values" of a world heritage site, is set to go before the Planning Authority Board on Thursday.The pla
A planning application to replace a restaurant that Malta's heritage watchdogs have said would have "a negative impact on the outstanding universal values" of a world heritage site, is set to go before the Planning Authority Board on Thursday.
The planning application seeks to replace an existing dilapidated restaurant with a new restaurant which occupies the same footprint next to the Hagar Qim temples, and the PA's case officer has recommended that it be refused by the board.
The site is the existing Hagar Qim Bar and Restaurant, which is situated within the Local Council boundaries of Qrendi. It is on a plot of land behind the visitor centre for the Hagar Qim temple. It is located outside the development zone and lies within the buffer zone of an Area of Archaeological Importance Grade A, which consists of the temple complexes.
The case officer noted that the proposed development runs counter to local plan policy and to objectives of the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development. The report notes that the proposed development is being designed in such a way that it exceeds the volume of the existing structures, which would result in the proposal being more visible "and thus considered to exceed the existing commitment on site along the frontages. This would therefore have a detrimental effect on the character of the surrounding rural landscape and long distance views from the sites of Archaeological Importance."
Following assessment of the proposal, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) and the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee (CHAC), together with Heritage Malta (HM) and the National World Heritage Technical Committee (NWHTC), noted "with concern" the negative visual impact of the proposed massing on views as seen from and towards the Temple.
The Superintendence noted that particular photomontages filed by the applicant confirm the increase in massing as well as the traffic, introduced by the vehicular un/loading to the restaurant, which it said is unacceptable within this sensitive location. It said that the proposed development does not improve on what there is at present "and has an overall negative impact on Ħaġar Qim Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site."
"In conclusion, the proposed development will have a negative impact on the Outstanding Universal Values of the World Heritage Site, to the detriment of its operation and enjoyment." The Superintendence also said that the application fails to provide any improvement on what there is at present. "Considering the above-mentioned concerns, the SCH, CHAC, HM and the NWHTC reiterate that the proposal is still objectionable from a Cultural Heritage point of view. It is recommended that further mitigation measures are studied in order to reduce the visual impact of the proposal as seen from different vantage points," the Superintendence said.
Heritage Malta also said that the proposed development is considered as objectionable in view of the impact as a result of additional noise and light pollution, "the provision of inadequate waste management facilities, excessive building height and use of roof for outdoor activities, additional traffic generated by activities at the restaurant, and lack of parking facilities on site"
The case officer recommended that the application be rejected.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
