The president of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, Mgr Philip Calleja, has welcomed the news that Mepa has now made public the Project Description Statement, known as PDS, for the forthcoming Environment Impact Assessment on the proposed extension to the St John’s Co-Cathedral Museum. The PDS is now available for public consultation at Mepa and at the Valletta local council.

Mgr Calleja said in a statement that this is the time for NGOs, individuals and other institutions to have their say and to put forward proposals on what the independent EIA should be looking into.

“Any individual or organisation can, within the Terms of Reference of the EIA, put forward any suggestions on issues that may be included in the studies that will determine the impact that the proposed museum extension may have on the Co-Cathedral or its surrounding environment and that will identify any potential risks to the Co-Cathedral itself,” Mgr Calleja stressed.

Mepa published a notice earlier in the week in the Government Gazette informing the general public that the PDS for the EIA of the proposed extension of St John’s Co-Cathedral’s Museum has now been released for consultation.

Mgr Calleja added that the Foundation has always put the interest of St John’s Co-Cathedral first and it shall continue to do so: “The St John’s Foundation is committed to ensuring that the proposed project will not endanger the fabric of the Co-Cathedral, but will instead be conducive towards the enrichment of Malta’s cultural and religious heritage. This requires a detailed and independent Impact Assessment that will be carried out in consultation with the general public and civil society.”

The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation urges the public and interested organisations to view the Project Description Statement at Mepa or at the Valletta local council and to submit suggestions.

“Now is the time for NGOs, individuals and organisations to contribute to enrich Malta’s cultural and religious heritage,” concluded Mgr Calleja