Letter Of Objection - St. John's Cathedral, Valletta
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OBJECTION TO PA 00167/08 and 00168/08 Site at St John’s Cathedral Valletta As a member of the public concerned for my country's heritage, I vehemently object to the above-mentioned applicationsto extend St. John`s Museum by building a three-storey structure to replace earlier buildings in the courtyard of St. John's Cathedral, as well as to the excavation of chambers below St. John`s Street and Square, connecting to existing underground chambers and to St John's Cathedral and to construct vertical lift through all floors and other alterations. The excavation of St John's Square in order to provide more chambers might not only affect the Cathedral's foundations, but will also destroy the remains of a palace of the Knights' period there. Valletta's underground chambers, tunnels, channels and water cisterns for the catchment of rainwater and the disposal of waste water are 16th century engineering treasures, evidence of the advanced engineering techniques of Laparelli and Geronimo Cassar and of the Order's foresight in ensuring Valletta's water supply. As such they should be mapped out, studied and preserved, and not damaged and exploited. In addition to contravening several MEPA regulations on the preservation of Urban Conservation Areas, these applications also violate the Heritage Act since St. John's Cathedral as a National Monument Schedule Grade 1 falls under: "Buildings of outstanding architectural or historical interest that shall be preserved in their entirety. Demolition or alterations which impair the setting or change the external or internal appearance, including anything contained within the curtilage of the building, will not be allowed. Internal structural alterations will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances where this is paramount for reasons of keeping the building in active use." Clearly, this does not permit an extension which changes St. John's external appearance, just as the Cathedral does not need an extension in order to remain in use. If the Cathedral needs extensions, these could be accommodated in one of the many palazzos or old buildings in the immediate neighbourhood of the Cathedral which are in an advanced state of deterioration. I maintain that the enormous funds to be spent on this extravagant and damaging project would be much better spent on investing in and restoring such a palace as a 'state-of-the-art museum'. This would avoid the damage to Valletta's underground heritage, avoid any risk to the foundations and structure of St. John's Cathedral, spare the residents, shops, visitors and tourists years of upheaval in ripping up the newly-paved square, and will enrich Valletta through the restoration and rehabilitation of a decaying building. I therefore urge Mepa to refuse these applications and ask to be recognised as an official objector and to be kept informed of any developments and hearings on this case by communicating with me at the above-mentioned email address. Sincere regards,
