Application filed to turn Qrendi quarry into heritage park and transport museum

An application has been filed to turn a disused quarry in Qrendi into a heritage park and transport museum.

The site is located along Triq Maddorbu, within the limits of Siġġiewi and Qrendi.

The site is approximately 750 metres away from the Qrendi development zone, and is mainly surrounded by agricultural land; however, there is a consolidated area of quarrying, open storage areas, active quarries, construction plants and industrial (small/medium enterprise) developments. In the past, the site was used for quarrying activities but has been derelict for many years,” the case officer’s report reads.

The application includes sanctioning of structural interventions already carried out and proposed works. The proposed interventions include the incorporation of areas for display of exhibits, areas for car restoration, introduction of a timber bridge and parking area. Interventions to sanction include excavation works, structural walls, a timber bridge, embellishment of ramp and minor extension to existing structures.

The proposed development falls within an Outside Development Zone (ODZ) area, within the Drinking-Water Safeguard Zone, and a scheduled Class A dolmen which is described as “the largest and most impressive ‘dolmen’ known on the Maltese Islands.”

The environmental impact assessment’s screening report reads that upon completion, the site, within this exhausted soft stone quarry, will have a number of underground display areas, a workshop for restoration, and a food preparation area, together with ancillary facilities and parking area. The proposal will also include the implementation of an areawide landscaping and management plan to ensure that the possible impacts of such a development be mitigated and curtailed at source.

Around 4,600 square metres of the site will be developed as follows: display areas and ancillary facilities (about 2,330sqm) accessed through two access points along Triq Maddorbu; Parking area (about 1,280sqm); and landscaping and circulation space (about 1,330sqm).

The Qrendi Local Council, commenting on the environmental impact assessment’s screening report, welcomed such an initiative and investment within its locality, but highlighted that there were several areas of concern that should be addressed, mainly regarding public access to the Neolithic dolmen located within the proposed site, traffic management, and parking arrangements for private and public vehicles.