The Naval Clinic

I am amazed that Donald Despott, an architect of all people, should write a letter (February 26) recommending the dismantling of the Piazzetta Naval Clinic, one of Sliema's few surviving buildings of architectural/historic value.

How convenient it would be for architects and their clients to be able to dismantle old buildings which are inconsiderately standing on prime development sites and re-erect them in the back of beyond. Although I agree that a building can best be appreciated in its original setting, a handsome building can still be appreciated in its own right, and also as a part of Sliema's historic fabric. If Mr Despott had his way, we would be demolishing Trinity Church, in Rudolph Street because it has modern flats built right in its backyard. E.L. Galizia's precious gems of the "Moorish" houses across the road would also have to go as their skyline has been ruined by the modern, cubist houses adjoining them.

Similarly, the contractors are wasting their time and money preserving the old mansions at Balluta, which are going to have a modern hotel as a backdrop - just demolish them and be done with!

For that matter, why stop at Sliema? All cities in Europe have old buildings sitting cheek by jowl with new ones. However, their historic buildings would only have been replaced by modern ones due to war-time bombing, not because of our combination of greedy contractors and corrupt politicians, as we had in the not-too-distant past. The charm of Boston is this very blend of old buildings contrasting with ultra-modern ones.

Instead of contributing to the rape of Sliema, I would have thought an architect like Mr Despott should rather have written to the papers to stop the destruction of the clinic's neighbour, the former Casino Maltese with its outstanding carved façade.

He could also have written to condemn the inaction when the clinic's roofs were illegally pulled down to hasten its deterioration. How long is the Malta Environment and Planning Authority going to stand by and watch while private owners/speculators allow their listed buildings to crumble away until they have the excuse to demolish them. Is there possibly no legal obligation to maintain listed buildings for posterity?

Mr Despott also criticises a building which has had exactly his solution applied to it; dismantled from its original Tower Road site, this grand townhouse has been inappropriately reconstructed in one of the narrowest streets in Sliema. Incidentally this building is owned by the same developer as the Piazzetta Naval Clinic, which would very likely suffer a similar, sorry fate.