Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544723
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 MAY 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The catacombs were found in Triq il-Fugass in close vicinity of the Salina Park. The project, proposed by Gozitan developer Mark Agius, known as Dirjanu, and approved in September 2025, will proceed with the archaeological remains retained in their original posi- tion beneath the footprint of the approved scheme. The final clearance by the SCH was issued in March. Catacombs will be protected – SCH Contacted by MaltaToday a spokesperson for the SCH insist- ed that "the protection of the dis- covered remains is guaranteed through in site conservation". The heritage watchdog said that by integrating the site "beneath the development," it ensures its "permanent protection from the elements and future surface dis- turbance". To safeguard the remains, the SCH has imposed a 2m non-in- tervention buffer zone. Within this perimeter—no rock cutting or invasive excavation is permit- ted. The authority confirmed that this buffer zone will be im- plemented as approved in the project drawings. The development itself has been designed to minimise im- pact on the archaeology through an engineered solution that ef- fectively "bridges" over the re- mains. The SCH said the mitigation measures include geotextile membranes, concrete pad foun- dations and a raised superstruc- ture, all intended to separate the building from the archaeological layers below. The apartment block will be supported by a limited num- ber of pillars placed in areas "pre-vetted" by the superintend- ence. According to the SCH these foundations are designed with a minimal footprint to avoid sig- nificant archaeological features on the site. According to the heritage watchdog, this solution, sup- ported by the use of geotextiles to separate modern materi- als from ancient surfaces, is "a standard and effective preserva- tion strategy that allows for the coexistence of modern utility and heritage conservation with- out compromising the strati- graphic integrity of the site". The SCH further stated that these measures are explicitly defined in the technical docu- mentation and Works Method Statement, forming the basis of the clearance. The authority said the methodology for preserva- tion is embedded in these spec- ifications, which are designed to ensure protection of the site. No public access to site While the site is legally pro- tected, it will remain in private ownership. Under current legislation, ar- chaeological remains can remain in private ownership provided they are preserved according to the strict parameters set by the superintendence. Responsibility for its manage- ment lies with the landowner, who is bound under the Cultural Heritage Act to maintain the in- tegrity of the remains. At the same time, the SCH has retained oversight through a condition granting its officials permanent access to the site. This access is intended to ensure ongoing monitoring of the ar- chaeological remains and to fa- cilitate future scientific research. No interpretation centre or museum is currently planned for the area. The SCH's position is that preservation in site ensures the survival of the archaeological remains, even if they are not ex- posed or made publicly accessi- ble. The approval reflects a wid- er planning approach in Malta, where archaeological remains discovered within development footprints are increasingly pre- served beneath new construc- tion, particularly in heavily built- up urban areas where relocation or open-air preservation is often not feasible. Din l-Art Helwa dismayed Contacted by MaltaToday Din l-Art Ħelwa President Patrick Calleja expressed dismay at the way this important heritage site is being 'protected'. Calleja noted that the cata- combs and the rest of the ar- chaeological site are under threat from inappropriate de- velopment, not from any natural elements. "Leaving the management of the site to a landowner or indeed a condominium, whose sole in- terest is profit and not heritage, is a dereliction of the state's duty under the Cultural Heritage Act and our Constitution". Calleja pointed out that the ap- proved drawings clearly indicate that this heritage will never be seen again. "A catacomb buried under a seven-storey concrete tomb- stone has lost all meaningful context," he said. Calleja questioned the SCH's approach describing it as "out of sight, out of mind" management. "If this is how we are protecting our heritage, then we are being misled," he said. Heritage watchdog approves catacombs preservation beneath flats The catacombs were found in Triq il-Fugass in close vicinity of the Salina Park