Historic farmhouse

Fgura, the so-called modern polluted residential area, sounds like the antonym of history, and this perception will grow if we do not take care of the few historic remains that the locality still 'enjoys'.

One of these is a Grade 3 farmhouse adjacent to the main road near the Fgura cross. In 2000, a minor road abutting it was mysteriously transferred by the Lands Department to a private entity and some years later (following application PA04358/03) a boundary wall was build around it, hiding the historic farmhouse, and leaving the site in a derelict state.

As far as I know, no maintenance is being carried out on the farmhouse, and while today the area is used for every imaginable activity, I wonder if the owners are simply waiting for it to collapse to make space for more vacant flats.

This farmhouse has great potential, mainly because of its position and history. It should be transformed into a sustainable project that aims to boost community life. While the area at the back of the farmhouse can be developed by the owner (maybe into a small shopping complex and offices), the government and the local council can buy or rent the farmhouse and allow different NGOs to rent it at a nominal fee. Such a project will help the locality's newly formed NGOs and groups, encourage more people to become active citizens and foster an appreciation of what is local.

To make the project sustainable, part of the farmhouse could be turned into a cafeteria and the adjacent road into a public garden to provide residents with healthier relaxation areas.