Mepa’s omissions lead to destruction of archaeology: Skorba Neolithic Temples

Heritage and environment associations The Archaelogical Society, Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Ramblers’ Association, Malta, along with residents of Zebbiegħ are extremely concerned about a MEPA permit to carry out a development on a site in the vicinity of the Skorba Neolithic Temples in Zebbiegħ, limits of Mgarr.

MEPA granted development a permit to build flats and garages on this site even though the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) had earlier made MEPA aware of its archaeological potential, which had blocked other applications. In processing this application MEPA overlooked the illegalities perpetrated by the applicant in his earlier application PA 4521/09.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage was never informed or consulted by MEPA about this application notwithstanding the known sensitivity of the area. In a meeting that was held   between the Zebbiegħ residents, the SCH, and MEPA, the MEPA representative said that this omission by MEPA to consult with SCH was ‘unintentional’.

Furthermore, the application site notice was never fixed properly on site, depriving residents of their right to object in time.

In June 2010 residents of Zebbiegħ reported to MEPA and the SCH that excavation works being carried were going to destroy significant features, medieval ceramics and tombs amongst other antiquities, which are protected in terms of the Cultural Heritage Act, therefore such action amounted to a breach of the law.

A representative of SCH informed the architect responsible for the development about the considerable archaeological sensitivity of the area and ordered works to cease, however the works resumed until the Superintendence had to intervene on site to stop the works with the assistance of the police.

Regarding the above, MEPA  policy  NWCO 5 clearly says: In the case of accidental discovery of archaeological remains during development, the contractor and owner shall stop immediately, ensure that the remains are not disturbed and notify the SCH and MEPA of the discovery.

In July 2011 excavation machinery started work in a rampant manner, destroying all that could have hindered the developers from continuing with their development. In another desperate attempt, the residents of the area called upon both MEPA and SCH to stop the destruction that continued to be inflicted upon the cultural heritage features at a very fast rate. Evidence of these remains is still present on site in spite of all the developer’s efforts to completely conceal or destroy these remains. This begs the question: who is going to be held responsible for such illegal acts? Have criminal charges been pressed against those responsible?

In view of the above the associations and residents call on MEPA to declare PA 4521/09 null and void at law due to the applicant’s illegalities on site and the submission of false and misleading information during the application process. Both the developer and the architect in charge were aware of the sensitivity of the area from previous investigations. The series of coincidental omissions by MEPA also raise a number of questions. The NGOs fail to understand how the permit PA 4521/09 was granted without any bank guarantees being imposed on the developer to ensure monitoring of works, when MEPA was well aware of the archaeological sensitivity of the area, and why an enforcement notice has not been issued by MEPA.

To add insult to injury, the developer has now applied to MEPA for an additional basement level.

The NGOs and residents are calling on MEPA’s EPC board to not to repeat past mistakes and to respect the SCH and Heritage Protection Unit’s firm and clear disapproval of this new basement application. It is being stressed that that if this application is approved, it would signify approval of the outrageous, speculative destruction of the invaluable archaeology present on site, part of Malta’s precious collective heritage.