Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/924080
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 10 JANUARY 2018 News 8 THE Planning Commission has given the green light for two projects to be carried out in the locality of Qormi – one for the restoration of Pinto's lodge in Pjazza Nar- bona and another for the embellishment of Pjazza San Frangisk. The weathered structure and monument known as Pinto`s Loggia, located in a landscaped pjazza next to the parish church of San Bastjan will undergo much needed restoration works. The loggia was originally constructed in 1772, in commemoration to Manuel Pinto da Fonseca`s 31st year as Grand Master of the Order of St John. The structure was originally part of a large farmhouse com- plex which included sta- bles for the Grand Master's horses. The complex was re- developed as social housing in 1981. Legend has it that Grand Master Pinto used to sit in this loggia to stay in the shade whilst observing local horse races. Works will include the cleaning of the stone surface and removal of vegetation, the replacement of deterio- rated stone fabric, pointing and the application of plastic repairs. A transparent veiling coat may be applied in order to homogenise the façade. The embellishment of Pjazza San Frangisk within the same locality will also get underway following the granting of planning permis- sion. The new paving will enhance the urban conserva- tion of the area. Works with- in the pjazza will also be car- ried out on the parvis of the old parish church dedicated to San Bastjan, known as 'Il- Knisja l-Qadima'. The new layout which will include a ramp will significantly im- prove the accessibility to the chapel which today is being used as a church museum. This larger chapel was built in 1880 on the same site of a smaller chapel which was mentioned in accounts by Bishop Pietro Dusina on his visit on February 2, 1575. Both projects are being car- ried out by the Qormi Local Council. Two Qormi projects get green light Work on Pjazza San Frangisk (above) and Pinto's Lodge (left) will be carried out by the Qormi Local Council WASTESERV invited MEP Alfred Sant for a visit at the Maghtab Environmental Complex which encompasses the rehabilitated Maghtab landfill, the Dwejra and Ghallis operating landfills and the Malta North facility. Chairman David Borg and CEO Tonio Montebello led Sant to the operating Ghallis Engi- neered landfill which is filling up at a fast pace, given the high current levels of waste gener- ated. Sant remarked that Malta is one of the few EU countries which are still highly dependent on landfilling as a waste disposal option. Wasteserv's Chairman gave an overview of the milestones achieved by the company over the past four years to address this situation, which included substantial investment in infra- structure, various educational drives and the implementation of the organic bag pilot project across 23 localities. The Malta North Facility, Was- teserv's latest addition to its infra- structure, enables the company to intensify its drive to divert waste from being landfilled, particularly biodegradable waste in line with the EU directives. CEO Monte- bello pointed out that at the same time this process enhances the recovery of dry recyclable materi- als contributing to Malta's ongo- ing efforts towards achieving the EU recycling targets. During the visit it was ac- knowledged that it is crucial for the country to invest in a waste- to-energy facility as part of its plans for a more holistic waste management infrastructure given Malta's particular charac- teristics. The nation's insularity brings about logistical complica- tions and exorbitant costs to ex- port waste. Moreover, due to the country's size, land is a precious limited resource with a high opportu- nity cost that would go to waste if more space had to be dedicated to landfill which would also re- sult in extending landfills closer to residential areas. Sant commended the Govern- ment's commitment to imple- ment initiatives through the Ministry for the Environmental, Sustainable Development and Climate Change which would boost Malta's performance in the waste management sector. Wasteserv said that the nation- alisation of the organic bag col- lection later on this year accom- panied by more enforcement will serve to encourage better and more sustainable waste manage- ment practices in line with EU obligations. Alfred Sant pays a courtesy visit to Maghtab Environmental Complex FOR the 10th year in a row, the Marquis Nicholas De Piro of Casa Rocca Piccola Trust and organiser Margaret Farrugia kept alive the unique art of Maltese lace-making which has been much sought after and appreciated for centuries. The annual event culminated with a competition of 120 items which were submitted by around 80 participants. All hand-made lace items were exhibited for a week at the Italian Cultural Insti- tute, Valletta. HSBC Malta Foundation once again sponsored the event. HSBC Malta Foundation weaves a new chapter of Maltese lace-making with decade-long support HSBC Malta Foundation board member and wife of the HSBC Bank Malta CEO, Jennifer Beane, speaks to a model wearing a dress made entirely of Maltese lace.