The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has formally asked the Planning Authority to freeze a permit granted for a block of apartments within the buffer zone of Ggantija Temples in Gozo.

In a brief statement on Wednesday night, the Superintendence said that it was invoking Article 80 of the Development Planning Act which requests the authority to open procedures to freeze the contentious permit until a Heritage Impact Assessment it had sought is carried out.

The Superintendence said that it would then evaluate its conclusions and that the assessment will guide the applicant, architect, and authorities as to the impact or otherwise of the proposed development on the templates. 

The Planning Authority earlier this month approved an application that will see 22 apartments and 20 garages built on the edge of the Xagħra Development Zone, ignoring a request by UNESCO.

The issuing of the permit has raised concern, with the Coalition for Gozo and Din L-Art Helwa saying they are preparing to fight for the revocation of the permit. The development, they said, poses a very serious threat to the integrity of the temple complex and its buffer zone and fully justifying the public outcry.

Another NGO, Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, is also raising funds to challenge the permit.