An application to construct a new football and rugby stadium right next door to the Hibernians Stadium in Paola could see some issues, after the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage flagged the proposal as being located within an area of considerable archaeological potential.
The proposed development, with a total site area of 14,011 square metres, is for the construction of a stadium and artificial turf ground for 648 spectators to host rugby and football domestic and international matches. The proposal provides for changing rooms, a restaurant, offices, a staff conference room, media reporting rooms, a media conference room, ancillary rooms for stadium support amenities, a parking area for outside broadcasting units and car parking spaces for visitors.
“The property in question is an extensive tract located within an area of considerable archaeological potential and overlying a mid-twentieth century underground power station of considerable historical value. The underground power station is ventilated by a system of shafts terminating at surface vents within the proposed development site,” the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage said.
The Superintendence requested further information in order to assess the current application and ensure the safeguard of the cultural heritage. Such information required includes a detailed plan of the site as existing, a works method statement with details of proposed clearing of material and proposed rock-cutting or trimming, details of proposed rerouting of existing ventilation shafts and alternative ventilation for the underground power station, as might be necessary, and others.
The project applicant is Projects Plus Ltd, which is listed as a parastatal company in which Projects Malta Ltd., holds the majority of shares, and Malta Government Investments Ltd holds one share.
“Projects Malta Ltd was set-up and is fully owned by the Government of Malta to coordinate and facilitate Public Private Partnerships between Ministries and the Private Sector,” the Projects Malta website reads. Projects Malta falls under Minister Konrad Mizzi’s Tourism Ministry.