Wirt Għawdix And Għajnsielem Local Council Appeal Against Attempt To Transform Old Pumping Station Into Cafeteria
The Għajnsielem local council together with NGO Wirt Għawdex has just filed an appeal against plans to transform an old pumping station into a cafeteria.
The permit in question outlines the “rehabilitation of existing pumping station including change of use to a cafeteria (Class 4D) and offices (Class 4A).
The application also includes the construction of a lightweight structure to form a mezzanine and other internal and external alterations.
Both the Għajnsielem Local Council and Wirt Għawdex deplored the fact that such an iconic and historic structure in Mġarr Harbour and part of our national heritage is not being protected and instead is to be turned into a cafeteria.
Old photos taken from the early 20th century of the old pumping station were also shared, showing Mġarr Harbour in a very different light than what we are familiar with.
In particular, both entities insisted that the remaining machinery and any structures related to this pumping station should be kept on-site and preserved, as a part of Malta’s history.
Throughout the years, the Għajnsielem Local Council tried several times to acquire the premises in order to turn the site into an exhibition centre or a small museum. However, this was to no avail.
The local council sadly noted that such a large government-owned entity, in this case, the Water Services Corporation, should have led by example and taken the opportunity to use such a building to showcase the old water distribution systems during the Knights and British eras.
The local council expressed that it “would have been more than willing to take responsibility and apply for funding to restore such a building, as it did recently by restoring the old pumping station chimney which is situated around 100 meters away and built on top of a man-made shelter in order to protect the pumping-station machinery during the World War two air raids.”
Wirt Għawdex maintains that “any attempt at restoration should aim to preserve the original fabric in its entirety, and all structures should be preserved and kept on-site and within the original context of a pumping station. Removing historic items from the site would diminish its value.”
The appeal will be submitted by lawyer Claire Bonello, who is often vocal when it comes to environmental matters in Malta.
What do you make of this appeal?
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