NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa has told the Planning Authority that two applications dealing with Fort Chambray, that have both been recommended for approval, 'pose a serious threat to our cultural heritage'.

The first application (PA 03884/23) proposes the Fort Chambray Phase 3 development, comprising of a 5-star aparthotel with 64 ensuite rooms, 50 serviced apartments and ancillary amenities; 105 "high quality Class 1 residential units with highly landscaped pedestrian environment and the creation of a new public piazza," as well as part demolition of the existing underground parking levels, including excavations to extend further the existing two parking levels to accommodate garages for private use and car parking spaces for public use."

The same application proposes the relocation and integration of the British Barracks' front masonry arcade, inner facade behind the arcade and flanks within the proposed hotel main building; the internal and external alterations to the existing Dar it-Tabib and to change its use into 10 hotel ensuite rooms with ancillary outdoor amenities; the introduction of ancillary hotel amenities within the existing Knights' Barracks comprising of hotel retail outlets and hotel restaurants at ground floor level, and hotel meeting rooms and conference facilities at first floor level," among other things.

The second application (PA 02454/16) is tied to the first, and proposes the dismantling of a British Barracks as part of Fort Chambray phase 3 development, to incorporate the arcade, the inner facade behind the arcade, and the flanks within the proposed hotel.

Various elements of Fort Chambray are scheduled as a Grade 1 monument of architectural and historical significance, the case officer's report for PA 03884/23 notes, but objectors argue that the proposal has treated the Fort as an infill building site.

A development brief for the fort was approved in 1992. The case officer's report read that the proposed uses being considered are in line with Fort Chambray Development Brief and similar to the already approved scheme.

The total proposed built footprint of the Phase 3 development is 7,185sqm within a total site area of 34,645sqm, it also reads. "This results in a total built footprint of 20.7%, with the remaining 79.3% proposed to be dedicated to public and private open space provision, therefore equating to 27,459sqm of available open spaces. With the introduction of more public spaces and secondary paths, the project has resulted in a highly permeable development that extends to the entire peripheral pedestrian routes along the fortification walls."

The Development Brief states that "the design must resolve the problem of incorporating new development within a well defined historical context. Consequently, all new buildings should be of an appropriate scale, proportion and bulk, especially, paying careful attention to the scale, proportion and design of any existing adjoining or nearby buildings so as to enhance this historical context. The mass and scale of new development will not be permitted to visually dominate the retained buildings. Compatibility of design of new development with retained buildings and elements must be clearly demonstrated by, elevations, sections and plans," the case officer said. "In order to follow the above, the concept behind the proposed volumes and resultant visuals is as follows: The residences located closer to the edge of the fortification extents as well as those in the proximity of the key historical buildings located around the perimeter of the site are proposed to start at a lower building height and progressively step up towards the centre of the site, culminating in the Aparthotel main building as the highest proposed building."

Regarding the dismantling of the British Barracks and the re-construction of the façade within a different location within the Fort, the case officer of (PA 03884/23) notes that it was debated at length when a previous application was being processed. "Initially, the proposed dismantling and relocation were considered objectionable. Following various discussions and considerations, it was concluded that the dismantling of these Barracks would achieve: the relocation of the Hotel further inwards within the enceinte resulting in a better internal planning; and relocating the building mass of the hotel away from the edge of the Fort, a location highly visible from the seaward approach to Gozo. Following discussions with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, in addition to the south arcade, the west and east flanks together with the façade located behind the arcade, will also be dismantled, reinstated and integrated into the masterplan."

The case officer's report for PA/02454/16 reads that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage concluded that the latest drawings are in keeping with the approved treatment of the British Barracks, where greater parts of the historic structure were earmarked for preservation.

The case officers of both applications recommended that they be approved. The applications are set to go before the planning board on Thursday.

Din L-Art Helwa, which among many others had previously objected to the application, following the recommendations to approve filed another letter with the Planning Authority. "The case officer(s) have recommended that both these applications are granted permission despite the fact that both proposals pose a serious threat to our cultural heritage as a nation and to Gozo in particular."

The proposal put forward in PA 3884/23, including the construction of 105 residential units and 50 apartments, would have one believe that the Grade 1 scheduled 18th century Fort Chambray is an infill development site, DLH said. "The proposal suggested in PA 2454/16, to demolish most of the historic British Barracks and retain and relocate just the façade of the building, is nothing short of a desecration of our national heritage. The building should be restored and retained in its entirety as the only British Barracks in Gozo."

The NGO said that the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee (CHAC) had at one time stated that the British Barracks should be retained in site because of its historical importance and that the proposed development was too extensive." It attached a document which included excerpts of meetings of the CHAC in the 2007 and 2009.

It said that the British Barracks is the most iconic building inside the Fort that is first seen when approaching Mgarr Harbour from the sea. "It is inconceivable that anybody would want to eradicate this image from our collective memory and identity. The proposal not only seeks to bury the façade of the Barracks behind a myriad of dwelling units, but includes a proposal to construct another three storeys over a new building sporting the re-assembled façade."

The proposed housing estate within the Fort "not only disparages our history and cultural identity but will, more tangibly, obliterate the iconic views of the Barracks," DLH said.

"When the scheduling of Fort Chambray and its features and other elements were scheduled in 2005, the British Barracks was the only historic building within the Fort that was not scheduled. Instead it was attached with the following note: 'The scheduling of the British Barracks will be considered following the outcome of current pending applications.' It is clear now that this was a premeditated manoeuvre to facilitate the proposed development of a housing estate within the Fort."

The NGO argued that the proposals go against policies, and said that the applications should both be refused.

"This is a matter, not of any inconsequential regard, but of national and international concern. The Knights' fortifications around the harbours of Malta are presently on the UNESCO world heritage tentative list. Fort Chambray can also be considered to be part of this network. Should this project go ahead it will certainly diminish the chances of Victoria becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2031. Will this project help showcase Gozo's cultural heritage endeavours?" It said that a complaint has been filed with the Ombudsman "regarding the reluctance of the Planning Authority to schedule the historic British Barracks. The major development contemplated in PA 3884/23 is dependent on the demolition of the Barracks building and the relocation of the portico as per PA 2454/16. Therefore, at the very least, both applications should be suspended until the scheduling of the British Barracks is finalised," DLH concluded.