The back wall of an 18th century town house that collapsed during the development of a boutique hotel was rebuilt with controversial apertures onto the Gozo Citadel ditch, the Times of Malta has been told.
When contacted, Wirt Għawdex said it was extremely disappointed that the authorities responsible for safeguarding and protecting the heritage had allowed such development to continue.
Together with the Victoria local council, the Gozitan NGO last year flagged the opening of windows and a door onto the Citadel ditch as part of the conversion of an 18th-century house of character into a boutique hotel.
During development on the site at It-Tokk, which lies within a historical area of archaeological importance, the back wall of the house collapsed and the Planning Authority stopped all works.
The back wall had collapsed during development in April of 2018Wirt Għawdex president Giovanni Zammit told the Times of Malta on Thursday the NGO was not against the development itself because it encouraged the rehabilitation and regeneration of abandoned buildings, especially in the town core.
“However, we are totally against the opening of the apertures since this has breached and damaged the ditch perimeter walkway of a recently-restored potential Unesco historical site,” he remarked.
Nobody asked for permission to open the apertures
It was also pointless having a gate to secure the ditch at night since this commercial development would allow uncontrolled access to the ditch, he added.
The NGO is concerned that the opening of a door in future could lead to the setting up of tables, chairs and umbrellas for commercial purposes.
At the same time, the new height of the development would obscure the sight of the Citadel clock from the main square, changing a centuries-old vista, Mr Zammit said.
Asked whether the NGO had received any feedback since it flagged its concerns with the authorities last year, Mr Zammit said the only formal replies were from the Planning Authority and the local council.
The PA had informed Wirt Għawdex the only way to stop the permit was in cases of fraud, incorrect information, error on the face of the record or public safety.
“Since none of these factors were in play, the permit could not be revoked. The Victoria local council, which is the lessee for the ditch confirmed that nobody had asked either their or the Lands Department’s permission to open the apertures overlooking the ditch.”
