A five-storey block of flats under construction in Gozo will overshadow a neighbouring Grade 1 protected windmill, in the second such case on the island. 

And the apartment complex being built next to the Ta'Fortun windmill is to be called The Carob - after the iconic tree which was uprooted as part of the excavation process.

The development has been highlighted by Gozitan conservationist Daniel Cilia, who criticised the Planning Authority for giving the go-ahead to applicant Anthony Ellis and architect Emanuel Vella.

It is understood the windmill is about 15 metres and the development beside it will be 17.5 metres high.

The street scape of the apartment block with the red annotation indicating the windmill. Picture: Daniel Cilia

Cilia described the Planning Authority as a “sham". He said: “Another Gozitan Grade 1 Windmill will soon disappear behind a five-storey apartment block which will practically hide it altogether!” 

The new block, which was approved back in October last year, sees the excavation of the site and the construction of 11 new flats across four floors, a shop and maisonette at the ground floor and basement garages. The top two flats have been designed with receded floors.

The Ta’ Fortun windmill is one of two windmills that had been scheduled as a Grade One building by the Planning Authority in April 2012, granting it the highest level of protection available.

This protection applies both to the listed building and its immediate surroundings, preventing alterations. 

A picture taken in February of the Ta' Fortun windmill, before the Carob Tree (right) was removed. Picture: Daniel Cilia.

The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage had initially asked for photomontages after raising concerns about the building because of its proximity to the windmill and location in an Urban Conservation Area.

However the Planning Authority's Case Officer said that this task was not carried out because the vantage point from which the montages would be taken from was within land that could be developed and a development had already taken place close to it.

The report said that SCH's request was therefore no longer relevant.

Along with the development itself, Cilia also criticised the removal of the old Carob tree. 

The red cross indicates the vantage point that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage had requested. Credit: SCH

The Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations of 2018 says that the Carob tree is classified as a protected species in certain areas like open spaces and green enclaves.

However the Environment Resources Authority said the tree in question was not protected because it is in a development zone. 

Both the architect Emanuel Vella and the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage have been contacted for comment.

News of this development comes almost two weeks after Times of Malta reported on criticism of another five-storey block overshadowing the Ta’ Marżiena windmill, also scheduled as Grade One.