This Zurrieq windmill is currently being threatened by an application which will obstruct landscape of the area, as well as the windmill’s backdrop. In a post on Facebook, Din l-Art Helwa notes that it strongly opposes the application, sharing more information about the project.

The organisation says that the application “intends to suffocate and eradiate the setting of the 1674 Grade 1 Scheduled Il-Mithna tal-Qaret, also known as the Nigret windmill in Zurrieq. The applicant is proposing the setting of building heights and alignment for a site partially within UCA and abutting ODZ zone,” Din l-Art Helwa shares on Facebook.

The project will see the “introduction of 8.6 to 16.3 (5 floors) metres allowable building heights surrounding the windmill. This will ultimately ruin the traditional stone millhouse and its setting, dating back to Grandmaster Nicolas Cotoner.”

The organisation notes that according to levels indicated by the project’s applicants, the highest points of the windmill hit around 11.5m. “Therefore, most of the potential indicated developments will be allowed to go higher than the Grade 1 windmill itself.”

In addition, the organisation noted that as a result of this development proposal, the windmill’s backdrop will be altered from its now-rural and vernacular landscape “to crammed building blocks with no respect to scale.”

Din l-Art Helwa is asking those who don't agree with the proposal to send in their objections to the planning authority on [email protected].