Ancient catacombs and cart ruts at risk in Salina development row

Updated: 5.16pm

Objections have flooded in against an application to develop a vacant plot of land in Salina into a four-storey apartment block, as critics warn the project could destroy and cover archaeological features previously identified by the cultural heritage watchdog. 

The application, PA/00680/26, submitted by Richard Camilleri, proposes the excavation of the vacant site on Triq il-Kappella tal-Lunzjata and Triq il-Barrakki tal-Melh, including the construction of a basement garage, maisonette and three overlying apartments. The application is currently awaiting a recommendation.

While the site lies within the development zone, it contains various archaeological features, according to a 2012 investigation carried out by the  Superintendent of Cultural Heritage.

The site in question in Salina. Photo: PA

The investigation is linked to two previous applications – PA/801/03 and PA/802/03- which proposed the development of garages and apartments in the same area. Both were opposed by the Superintendence and were eventually refused in 2014.

The Superintendent at the time, Nathaniel Cutajar, said the archaeological surveys had uncovered various features, such as a catacomb entrance, extensive traces of ancient quarrying, and the structural remains of a stone-lined water channel. It also included the “oldest archaeological features”, consisting of four sets of cart-ruts.

The cart-ruts are included in the National Protective Inventory, compiled by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

Following the findings, the  Superintendence had recommended that the remains be documented and had requested the modification of the limits of the Salina Development Zone to protect the archaeological resources of the area.

The entrance of the catacombs showing, on the site of the application. Photo: PA

The proposed application is also close to the Salina Catacombs, which date to the Roman times.

By Friday, the application had received more than 40 objections, many citing the Superintendence's earlier findings and arguing that the development would result in the irreversible loss of archaeological heritage. 

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar raised "serious concerns" about the project, arguing that approval would result in "irreversible damage to irreplaceable cultural assets", not to mention the loss of "one of the few remaining open spaces in the area". 

FAA urged the PA to "uphold the protection of the site and refuse the application.

“Approving this development would not only result in the irreversible destruction of important archaeological remains but would also eliminate one of the very few remaining green open spaces in Salina, to the detriment of both residents and the wider community,” one objector said.

Others shared pictures of what appears to be the entrance of a catacomb on the proposed site in question, and how it would be destroyed if the development is approved. Concerns were also raised about the impact the development would have on parking and traffic in the street.

A render of the development. Photo: PA

Resident Ivan Grech Mintoff also voiced his concerns regarding the project and called on the public to meet on site at 10am on Saturday to protest against the development.