Permit issued for historic pumping station to become a cafeteria

The Planning Authority has approved a Water Services Corporation (WSC) proposal to convert a British-era water pumping station overlooking Mġarr harbour into a cafeteria, which it says will be used for educational and social purposes.
The building will be renovated and a mezzanine floor built using lightweight material.
However, the old machinery will be put into storage and eventually displayed in another location, according to a WSC spokesperson.

The Planning Commission ordered the corporation’s architect to submit fresh drawings which exclude another lightweight structure it had proposed for the façade.
The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage did not object to the proposal despite pointing out that the pumping station “possibly dating to the British period or even earlier” was located in the urban conservation area of Għajnsielem and within the setting of a Grade 1 scheduled old storehouse.
They are among a cluster of historical buildings “that give a very specific character to this waterfront”.
The superintendence said the pumping station was a significant example of historical industrial architecture with significant machinery still on site.
This gave it cultural heritage...