The Planning Authority approved an application to place an eight-legged headless horse bronze statue on the cliffs of Xwejni, Gozo, a Natura 2000 site.

The Gozo Ministry had applied for the permit after it issued a public call for work of art. The sculpture picked is named WIEĦED which was designed by artist Austin Camilleri.

Although the case officer had recommended the plans for approval, there were a number of objections to the statute, mainly having to do with how the statute was not suitable for the location.

Both the Environmental Resources Authority (ERA) and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) objected to the proposed statute.

“The proposed installation of the monument is considered out of context and incompatible with the natural surroundings and the pristine coastal landscape. Therefore, the proposed siting is objectionable from an environmental point of view, and a more appropriate urban location should be sought,” ERA said.

“The proposed installation would be an incompatible addition to the surrounding natural, rural and cultural landscape. Given the above, the Superintendence is not favourable to this development application as currently proposed, and agrees with the DAC (Doc 65a.) that the proposed installation should be relocated to a more urban area,” SCH said.