DB Group have issued a statement refuting our claim that works destroying historical and sensitive sites are underway at the ex-ITS site in Pembroke. However, in their statement the DB Group only referred to the Cold War bunker (when we never alleged that they were necessarily destroying that item), and they did not make any reference to the St.Georges Barracks and Għar Ħarq Ħammiem.
The situation is one where huge rock-cutting machinery is onsite in an area with multiple cultural and sensitive features, without the proper and mandatory monitoring. This not a matter of Moviment Graffitti’s opinion, but a FACT highlighted by a Government authority – the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage – that issued at STOP WORKS notice a few weeks ago, stating that:
“It has come to our attention that ground disturbance works at the site in caption have commenced without archaeological monitoring. As per permit condition 85A, all ground disturbance works are to be carried out under the supervision of an archaeological monitor. This is a serious breach of the conditions of the Superintendence owing to the presence of the military barracks scheduled at Grade 2 and Ħarq Ħammiem cave scheduled at Grade 1. Kindly note that the unauthorized works might have possibly caused damage to archaeological features since works are not being monitored by an archaeology monitor. Any features will be investigated in terms of the Cultural Heritage Act…..
The Superintendence is issuing a Stop Works from its end and we recommend enforcement action from the Planning Authority in view of the breach in the Permit Condition.”
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, 16th April 2019
