Planning tribunal upholds relocation decision for Marsaxlokk watchtower
Seven NGOs criticised the EPRT’s recent decision
The planning appeals tribunal has upheld the Planning Authority’s decision to dismantle and relocate a historic watchtower in Marsaxlokk to make way for a road.
Seven NGOs criticised the EPRT’s recent decision, saying it “places priority on the provision of new roads over the safeguarding of our cultural and historical assets”.
The road is part of the Marsaxlokk Regeneration Project and is meant to improve traffic circulation.
“However, Marsaxlokk Heritage considers it unnecessary and warns that it further erodes the rural character of the traditional fishing village. Alternative measures can be applied to manage promenade activities that achieve a sustainable balance between community needs and heritage protection,” a statement signed by the NGOs said.
NGOs Marsaxlokk Heritage, Il-Kollettiv, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Nature Trust FEE Malta and Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa signed the statement following the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal decision.
They also criticised the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage for “conceding” their objections to the plans.
They added that a bank guarantee of €7,000 in case the dismantling failed was not nearly high enough.
The NGOs have opposed the plans since they were first proposed.
The planning application was originally filed in 2020 and later revised, with the new location moved to a site within the development zone.
The new road will link Triq Lepanto and Triq il-Kavallerizza.