Government planning to build open air concert area in Ta’ Qali

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects has filed a planning application to construct an open-air concert and recreational space in Ta’ Qali.

The application will include a performance stage, lavatories; shops for refreshments and music bands’ merchandise, a clinic, an office, and large capacity water reservoirs. The open space hosting the audience is mainly a turfed surface but also includes a paved area. User access is through three underpasses that connect the existing road level to the turfed surface.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage notes that the “footprint proposed for development formed part of the former Ta’ Qali RAF Airfield. Significant structural or infrastructural features may therefore survive related to the historical military function of the area. Furthermore, the area has a high degree of archaeological potential as evidenced by the discovery of a cluster of rock-cut tombs and other archaeological features during the construction of the American Embassy located 280m to the South East of the current application.”

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage is not yet able to give its final position of the project, however “strongly recommends the area of the proposed development be subject to an archaeological survey of a high technical standard to enable the identification of any wartime wreckage, unexploded ordnance, foundations of airfield structures and other possible historical and archaeological features. To this end, the architect is advised to communicate directly with the Superintendence, seeking Term of Reference and authorisation for such a survey which may include monitored clearing of earth and debris, as well as desktop research.”