Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542709
12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 JANUARY 2026 NEWS Planning Commission rejects Paola Church cafeteria proposal THE Planning Authority (PA) has refused a proposal by the Paola parish to open a small cafeteria within the Christ the King Basil- ica complex, citing concerns that it would disrupt the historic build- ing's architectural symmetry and visual amenity. The parish had originally pro- posed a rooftop cafeteria between the basilica's belfries. That original plan prompted public debate and a call from the Prime Minister for revisions. The Prime Minister had described the original plan for a cafeteria on the rooftop as a non-starter. Plans were subsequently changed to accommodate the cafeteria on the ground floor in an area currently used as garag- es. The new building, proposed over a footprint of 178 sqm and a height of 3.6 m was completely freestanding and did not require any interventions on the Basilica itself. The use of the basilica's roof was limited solely to a proposed obser- vation deck. In April 2025 the Su- perintendence for Cultural Her- itage had also issued its go ahead noting the "evolution of the pro- posal" following discussions with the Curia's Kummissjoni Patri- monju Kulturali talKnisja (KPKK). The parish had originally pro- posed a rooftop cafeteria with outside tables set between the basilica's belfries. That original plan prompted public debate and a call from the Prime Minister for revisions. The Prime Minister had described the original plan for a cafeteria on the rooftop as a non-starter. Plans were subsequently changed to accommodate the caf- eteria on the ground floor in an ar- ea along Church Street, currently used as garages. The new building, proposed over a footprint of 178 sqm and a height of 3.6 m was completely freestanding and did not require any interventions on the Basilica itself. The use of the basilica's roof was limited solely to a proposed obser- vation deck. In April 2025 the Su- perintendence for Cultural Her- itage had also issued its go ahead noting the "evolution of the pro- posal" following discussions with the Curia's Kummissjoni Patri- monju Kulturali talKnisja (KPKK). The application also foresaw the creation of exhibition spaces with- in the belfry towers and an "inter- pretation centre" adjacent to the proposed souvenir shop. Parish priest Fr Marc Andrea Camilleri had described the plans as a "verti- cal museum," utilising six stacked rooms within each belfry. Despite these changes, the Plan- ning Commission chaired by Elizabeth Ellul which is respon- sible for all applications in Urban Conservation Areas concluded that the cafeteria would cover the colonnade of the Grade 1 listed building, thereby disturbing the church's symmetry and harming its visual character. The board noted that the application re- mained incompatible with con- servation standards. The PA's decision states that the proposed development would change the external appearance of a Grade 1 listed building and goes beyond scientific restoration and rehabilitation. The PA argued that the proposal would therefore detract from the historical value of this important building and so it detracts from Thematic Objective 8 of the Stra- tegic Plan for Environment and Development which aims for the safeguarding and enhancement of cultural heritage. Fr Camilleri maintained that the cafeteria was only a minor com- ponent of the wider restoration project, intended to help cover the substantial costs of maintaining the church. In July 2024, the gov- ernment had committed €400,000 toward the restoration, with an agreement that the catering facil- ity would be relocated from the rooftop to the ground floor. JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt The new building, proposed over a footprint of 178 sqm and a height of 3.6 m was completely freestanding and did not require any interventions on the Basilica itself