Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533084
JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt 15 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 MARCH 2025 Register For Free Today Using This Link https://healingstreams.tv/zone/BRKGRP BIEX TARA Location 1 Location 2 Valletta The Embassy Hotel Valletta, 173 Strait Street Valletta. VLT 1435 Malta St Pauls Bay Hotel Santana, Triq il - Maskil, Qawra, St Pauls Bay, Malta Tel: +35699434950 / +447388459459 Email: ceaglowchurch@gmail.com Entrance: Free Irreġistra Għal Ħieles Illum Bl-Użu ta' Din il-Link 5 PM Kuljum Il-Ġimgħa 14 sal-Ħadd 16 ta' Marzu 2025 ...Huwa l-Ħin Sett Tiegħek Għall-Fejqan!!!! FRIDAY 14th to SUNDAY 16th MARCH 2025 5 PM DAILY NEW plans submitted by the Marsaxlokk local council propose relocating a historic watchtower, dating back to the Knights of St John, to a nearby site rather than to an ODZ area. The case officer assessing the application noted that the watch- tower, known as Barumbara, is now set to be relocated north of its current location on a site within the development zone facing Triq ta' Xerriek. The new location is near the locality's football ground. Both the Environment and Re- sources Authority (ERA) and the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage (SCH) had strongly ob- jected to moving the structure to the ODZ site, arguing it would sever the tower from its historical context. The SCH maintained the best option was to keep the struc- ture in place but accepted its relo- cation to a nearby site if no other solution was possible. However, environmentalists fear the relocation will facilitate fur- ther development in the area. The council, however has argued that the new road is necessary to improve transport between the Kavallerizza area, which has grown in recent years, and the rest of Marsaxlokk. A final decision is expected to made at a Planning Commission meeting on 2 April. The structure, described as a barumbara (pigeon loft), original- ly served as a rural watchtower, according to the SCH. It also has historical and contextual value, standing just 33 metres from the scheduled Torri tal-Kavallerizza area. "The Barumbara, the Torri Ka- vallerizza, and other rural vernac- ular structures in the area form a nucleus of architectural, historic, and contextual significance that should be retained and enhanced," the SCH stated when reviewing the application four years ago. The SCH has recommended that the building be scheduled at Grade 2, which would offer it pro- tection from demolition. The relocation of historical mon- uments runs counter to interna- tional heritage guidelines, includ- ing the 1964 Venice Charter, which states that "a monument is insepa- rable from the history to which it bears witness and from the setting in which it occurs." Relocation is only allowed in cases where the monument's safeguarding depends on it or where there is a compelling national or international interest. Marsaxlokk watchtower to be relocated to nearby site New outer breakwater proposed off St Elmo VALLETTA'S eastern coastline risks erosion and potential flooding in lower-lying areas from rising sea levels, unless new coastal de- fences are implemented, an environmental impact assessment concludes. The study is part of a project proposed by Infrastructure Malta to construct an outer breakwater at St Elmo Point. Photomontages included in the report con- firm that the only visible structure to address these concerns would be an outer breakwater at St Elmo Point. The project aims to reduce wave impact and coastal erosion along Valletta's eastern coast by constructing a submerged berm, revet- ments, and a new breakwater near Fort St El- mo. Without these interventions, wave con- ditions at the entrance to the Grand Harbour could worsen due to climate change, causing further coastline damage and potential flood- ing at lower-lying areas like Barriera Wharf. The two main developments include a sub- merged berm and two revetments between St Elmo Bridge, Mgerbeb Point, and Barri- era Wharf, and a new breakwater at St Elmo Point to protect against waves from the east and northwest. Following consultations with the Environ- ment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH), the design was adjusted to reduce the impact on Valletta's historical landscape. One key change was ensuring that cave entrances along the Mgerbeb coastline re- mained unobstructed. Additionally, the orig- inal design of the berm, which would have ex- tended above sea level, was revised to be fully submerged to reduce visual impact. Studies show that waves from the northeast and east significantly affect the harbour, and the berm and revetments will serve as a secondary de- fence against these. Meanwhile, the new breakwater will pro- vide primary protection against strong north-westerly waves entering under the bridge at Fort St Elmo. The improvements are expected to make maritime operations in the Grand Harbour safer while also reducing the long-term effects of erosion on Valletta's coastline. Heritage concerns Moreover, the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) has raised concerns about the poten- tial impact of the new breakwater at St Elmo Point on views of Valletta, especially from Fort St Angelo, Tigné Point, and cruise ships entering the Grand Harbour. While the HIA acknowledged the project's long-term benefits, it recommended lowering the crest height of the new breakwater or re- placing it with a submerged berm to minimise its impact on the historic city's appearance. However, the EIA pointed out that any re- design would require further studies to en- sure that the structure remains effective in protecting the harbour against waves and fu- ture sea level rise. The project will involve the dredging of around 19,400 cubic metres of rock from the seabed near St Elmo. Since this material has a high salt content, it cannot be reused for construction and will need to be disposed of at an offshore spoil ground. While this is considered a negative environmental impact, achieving the project's goal of strengthening the harbour's defences is necessary.