FAA praises Heritage Malta, slams MEPA, over Skorba temples
The environment NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar has welcomed a decision by Heritage Malta to buy land adjacent Skorba Temples in Mgarr on which development permits had been issued.
It however slammed MEPA for not having protected the temples in the first place by creating a buffer zone around them.
“While certainly a positive development, this is also something of a desperate and costly solution, especially as once this highly irregular permit was issued, Heritage Malta had to compensate the landowners at commercial rates” Astrid Vella, FAA coordinator, said in a statement.
“If MEPA’s policies for protecting monuments and respecting the same buffer zones designated by MEPA itself were working properly, then the money could have gone into restoration and interpretation of these historical sites.
"We are very grateful to Heritage Malta for intervening in this way although it reflects how poorly our historical environment is defended by the very Authority that has a duty to safeguard national heritage,” she said.
She said that the FAA was once again calling for the activation of MEPA’s Heritage Fund which was intended specifically for the purchase and upkeep of listed buildings or neighbouring land, in order to ensure the maintenance, restoration, or preservation of Malta’s archaeological and architectural heritage.
The authorities could also use EU funds in order to purchase from landowners, heritage sites and 'green lungs' which were of vital importance to the cultural heritage, health and well-being of local residents but which were currently under threat, such as those at Hondoq ir-Rummien, Wied il-Ghasel, Villa Bonici in Sliema and the Marsascala public open space.
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Adrian Gatt
May 25th 2009, 14:46
Well done to all those who protect our environment and heritage sites and shame on MEPA top levels and Prime minister who was supposed to tackle such issues. That is probably why Gonzi was given a new 5 year term because he bought loads of votes with his promise. So please now deliver Mr PrimeMinister.
Re open spaces they are badly needed like a water hole in the desert. In the case of Sliema, the purchase of Villa Bonici is a must as this is the only remaining open space we are left with. We need no more buildings and cars.
Galea. L
May 24th 2009, 09:43
Peter Gatt
It is those at MEPA who took the decision that should pay from their own pockets because it's not right that MEPA as such pays because they would be paying with taxpayers money. The officers who took the decision should be make to pay themselves personally.
Peter Gatt
May 23rd 2009, 22:23
Well done Heritage Malta for your initiative in protecting one of our gems! Thanks.
With reference to the last para of the article, I would expect MEPA to fork out the money to compensate for all the grave and irreversible ‘errors’ which it has conducted since its conception. If MEPA cannot implement and enforce its policies, why doesn’t it buy these open spaces and heritage sites and donate them to the public for conservation. It will surely save itself from being bullied around by building contractors etc.
.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
May 23rd 2009, 19:50
Heritage Malta are to be commended. It is however nothing short of shameful for a buffer zone not to have been designated by MEPA.
It seems all that is said by MEPA about the care of our environment is nothing but words.
Pity that the money spent on purchasing the site was not directed towards much needed restoration.
david carabott
May 23rd 2009, 19:29
thanks MEPA you did it again! i dont know how these permits comes out like pastizzi! where is Dr Gonzi???? permit given a meter away a unesco world heritage site! SHAMEFUL MALTA
I dont know why! Astrid Vella we adore you!
Galea. L
May 23rd 2009, 18:17
Gonzi should fire himself together with MEPA because he's in charge of MEPA.
CLIFFORD VELLA
May 23rd 2009, 16:39
THE GOVERMENT SHOULD FIRE THE BOARD OF MEPA ASAP.
Mary Fisher
May 23rd 2009, 16:25
Is this another case of BLUNDERING MEPA? When will they see the light ????????
A Sciberras
May 23rd 2009, 16:22
The Temples were going to lose their world heritage status. Is Valletta next? Is this due to an incompetent MEPA .
Michael Pace
May 23rd 2009, 16:01
Yet again: shame on MEPA!
J Portelli
May 23rd 2009, 14:56
Dr. Gonzi where is this MEPA reform you have been promising us since the election!! How long does it take? O
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
May 23rd 2009, 14:01
PROSIT, ahjar tard milli qatt. Il-kotra tal-Maltin forsi ma tafx li l-eqdem mqades f’Malta jinsabu fi Skorba izda barra l-parti mharsa sa issa u maghom parti sewwa mill-hitan tat-trufijiet tat-Tempji Megalitici ta’ Skorba li huma iktar maghrufa. Imissna nisthu, il-wirt wahdani li ghandna barra lsienna li hadd ma ghandu, u traskurajnieh daqstant ghar-rghiba