Architect Carmel Cacopardo this morning made a formal request to Mepa for all of Villa Bologna in Attard to be scheduled for protection.
Mr Cacopardo, speaking on behalf of the owners of the villa, on Tuesday expressed dismay that part of Villa Bologna's garden had been included in building development plans.
"Having seen and heard what the media had to say about Villa Bologna and in particular about the statements made by the MEPA chairman at a press conference called yesterday, I have this morning on behalf of the owners of Villa Bologna filed a formal request to MEPA for the scheduling of Villa Bologna," Mr Cacopardo said.
He said that 12 days ago he had written to the IHM Team (Integrated Heritage Management Team) at MEPA to underline the need to protect a buffer zone outside the boundaries of Villa Bologna."
"During a meeting which together
with the owners of Villa Bologna I had with officials of the Planning Directorate
on November 12, 2007 we discussed this request as well
as the possibility of scheduling Villa Bologna itself. At the request of the
Planning Directorate officials my clients submitted copies of printed
information on Villa Bologna in order that they be in a position to examine the
request. It is for this reason that during yesterday's press conference I
stated that a request for the property to be scheduled was being processed." Mr Cacopardo said.
"Today I have thus formalised the verbal request made over a week ago.
"My clients' interest in this whole issue is to ensure that Villa Bologna and its surroundings are protected from property speculation. It should be appreciated that it would have been much easier for them to develop (or sell for development purposes) the part of the Villa Bologna gardens which the local plan has classified as being suitable for development. They have deliberately decided not to proceed in this manner as in their opinion they have a duty to bequeath to future generations the cultural heritage with which they are entrusted in a good state," Mr Cacopardo said.
"They are also of the opinion that the authorities in this country should take the initiative in order that cultural property is more protected. This case has developed so far because public authorities have lacked sufficient appreciation of our cultural heritage."
MEPA in a statement this afternoon said it welcomed the fact that the owners of Villa Bologna had taken up the invitation of its chairman to formally request the scheduling of the villa and its garden.
The authority pointed out that the building and a large part of its garden were actually already protected in terms of the local plan, which had designated them as an open space enclave.
“Now that the owners have formally submitted a request for the scheduling of the property, the authority will consider an extension of protection. MEPA will also consider the scheduling of a small stretch of land beyond the villa’s formal garden, which had been indicated for the development of villas,” the authority said.