Two environmental NGOs yesterday called on St John’s Foundation to better utilise the space available in the cathedral and buy a disused palazzo close by instead of going through with two submitted development applications.
In a press conference outside St John’s Cathedral, representatives of Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Friends of the Earth, called on the foundation to make the most of the space available in the cathedral and buy a disused palazzo instead of excavating or building in the area.
The NGOs were protesting against two outside development applications that have been submitted by the Foundation to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa).
The first application proposes to extend the cathedral’s museum by excavating chambers below St John’s Street, connecting the same to existing underground chambers and to construct vertical lift through all floors and other alterations.
The second proposes to extend the museum by demolishing post war structures and constructing a new three-storey structure over existing courtyard, providing access to all and other miscellaneous alterations.
Miriam Cremona from FAA explained that the excavation entails digging 11 metres below ground level, a move that will create “a quarry” and damage the historical remains and 17th century drainage system that is still being utilised.
FAA spokesperson Astrid Vella also pointed out that St John’s Foundation has the role of custodians and not developers. “St John’s Co-Cathedral is scheduled as a Grade 1 National Monument and nothing should be done to damage it,” she said.
They criticised the construction of a three-storey building over the courtyard and pointed out that it is not a courtyard but a graveyard with tombs of the Knights of St John.
Christian Debono from Friends of the Earth expressed concern over the excavations, which would require a high amount of energy which would make the two applications unsustainable.
The NGOs pointed out that instead of building another structure over the courtyard to create more space, the foundation could buy and restore a dilapidated palazzo that is close by.
Furthermore, the foundation can revise the route taken by visitors going to the cathedral as, at present, they have to enter it twice.