Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543612
CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The proposal has undergone significant changes. The parish had initially proposed a rooftop cafeteria between the Basilica's twin belfries, complete with out- door seating. That plan triggered public debate and prompted in- tervention from Prime Minister Robert Abela, who described the rooftop cafeteria as a "non-start- er" and called for changes. In response, the rooftop ca- tering element was withdrawn and relocated to ground level along Church Street, in an area currently used as garages. The revised structure, covering 178 square metres and rising to 3.6 metres, was designed as a com- pletely freestanding building re- quiring no physical intervention on the Basilica itself. Central to the appeal is the argument that the project was developed in close consultation with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) and ec- clesiastical authorities, including the Curia's Kummissjoni Patri- monju Kulturali tal-Knisja (KP- KK). The appellant emphasises that the masonry design for the lev- el 0 cafeteria was cleared by the heritage authorities as being compatible with the Basilica's architectural character. Accord- ing to the appeal, this design ap- proach was intentionally chosen to integrate with the existing fab- ric and avoid introducing what is described as a visually intrusive contemporary element. The appellant pointed out that in their deliberations, members of the board expressed a pref- erence for a glass structure for the cafeteria instead of the ma- sonry construction proposed. The appellant notes that while a glass intervention had initial- ly been explored by the project architect, the KPKK — which consults closely with the SCH — was not in favour of such an approach. The masonry solution was therefore adopted following heritage guidance. Despite the heritage clearance, the Planning Authority refused the application on two grounds: incompatibility with the Urban Conservation Area (UCA) and alleged negative impact on what it described as a Grade 1 listed building. The appeal disputes both reasons, arguing that the Basilica is not actually classified as a Grade 1 scheduled property and that the refusal rests on an incorrect factual premise. The appellant also raised pro- cedural concerns. The Case Of- ficer's Report had identified only one outstanding issue relating to accessibility, which was subse- quently resolved through clear- ance from the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Dis- ability (CRPD). The appeal con- tends that additional design ob- jections were introduced at the final stage despite the applicant having satisfied earlier requests for amendments. 2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 4 MARCH 2026 NEWS By means of a decree given by the Civil Court, First Hall, on the 22nd January, 2026, in the records of the Sworn application number 1221/2025MS, in the names: Daniel Delia vs Naija Gauci Taraoui, the following publication was ordered, in terms of Article 187 et sequitur of Cap. 12, for the purpose of service of the respondent. By means of an application in the names: Daniel Delia (381874M) vs Naija Gauci Taraoui (392617L) filed in the Civil Court, First Hall, on the 28th November, 2025, the applicant asked this Honourable Court to: 1. To impose a short and peremptory period of not more than three (3) months on the respondent Naija Gauci Taraoui to tiddeduci in the judgement by cause all the claims allegedly brought forward in connection with the lands mentioned, in terms of Articles 403 et sequitur of Cap. 12 of the Laws of Malta; 2. In the event that the respondent fails to tiddeduci these same claims within the time fixed by this Honourable Court, impose on her the perpetual silence, by being prevented from ever proceeding with these claims or any other related claim against the applicant; With all costs against the respondent who is from now summoned so that a reference to his evidence be made The Sworn application number 1221/2025MS in the names mentioned above is postponed to the 13th March, 2026, at 9.00 a.m. Notification respondent: Nija Gauci Taraoui (392617L), 4, thistle Court, Fl 2, Triq Angelo Psaila, Paola Registry of the Superior Courts, today 18th February, 2026 GABRIEL MANGION For the Registrar, Civil Courts and Tribunals Appellant says wrong classification is one of the reasons the project was rejected The site of the proposed cafeteria along Church Street Gozo's Qbajjar Battery to be given to Din l-Art Helwa GOZO'S abandoned Qbajjar Battery will be handed to NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa to re- store and manage. Ministers Clint Camilleri and Owen Bonnici made the announcement after months of concerns over the state of the historic structure. Constructed by the Knights in the early 18th century, the Qolla l-Bajda Battery formed part of a chain of coastal de- fences. It remains the only sur- viving artillery battery of its type on Gozo. Last year, attention was drawn to the Grade 1 sched- uled landmark as it had been subject to neglect, deteriora- tion, and vandalism. In April 2023, Din l-Art Ħel- wa said that despite the gov- ernment's pledge to transfer the property to the NGO, delays in the process were so prolonged that urgent resto- ration works risked coming too late, by which time the building could be destroyed. In January 2025, the Lands Authority and Heritage Mal- ta stated they would under- take works to "eliminate danger" within the structure. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt