Balluta Square under threat, claims Labour MP

Labour MP Evarist Bartolo has warned that the cultural and historical value of Balluta Square and neighbouring scheduled sites in St Julians would be under threat if Mepa approved an application by the mayor of the locality to develop a green urban transport terminal. He said it would be scandalous if the square was utilised to house such a terminus, whether green or not.

Speaking during the second reading of the Land Acquisitions (Public Purposes) Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, he said such a development would cause structural damage in the area, which was built over a valley.

Mr Bartolo said that no public consultations on the proposed development had been held, and residents were now concerned. He claimed that one should not tamper with scheduled sites, such as those of Balluta Square, Balluta Buildings and the Carmelite Church in the vicinity. Mepa had scheduled the area 15 years ago and this also included the statue, the fountain and the wooden kiosk, as well as the open space in the square itself.

The 2006 local plan identified areas where urban transport termini could be built, but Balluta Square was not among them. Such a terminal was not even mentioned in the PN electoral manifesto for the St Julians local council elections.

Mr Bartolo said the country had to carry the heavy burden to restore cultural buildings. It made sense for the government to enter into partnership with the private sector to protect historical property, but the main problem was enforcement.

He spoke on the need of integrating the Mepa unit responsible for scheduling within the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage if this was ever reformed, because the superintendence's management was inefficient and lacked human and financial resources. It had failed to set up the cultural heritage management system, and an inventory which had to be published a year ago was still not ready.

The superintendence required new leadership, which was fundamental to safeguard the national heritage. He had always opposed the idea that the scheduling unit form part of a ministry, adding that it was dangerous to leave such a unit in the hands of politicians.

He said also that it was a shame to allow stone cutting close to the Ħaġar Qim temples.

José Herrera (PL) said that while Malta enjoyed an impressive cultural and historical heritage, it had limited resources for its upkeep.

He praised the way Manoel Island was being restored in a joint government-public partnership with the private sector. On the other hand, there was a lot to be done with regard to the maintenance of the bastions, and the government could also tap EU funds. Moreover, priority should be given to Fort St Elmo and Fort St Angelo.

Turning specifically to the Bill, Dr Herrera said that, as things stood, those who wanted to challenge whether expropriation was being done for public purposes had to challenge the government in the Constitutional Court. The Bill now provided that an individual could address his case to the Land Arbitration Board.

The interests and rights of the individual were being strengthened.

Dr Herrera complained that it was unfair that people had to wait years to receive compensation and, while it should be acknowledged that the state should have the power to expropriate land in the public interest, it should only do so with absolute prudence and protection to the owners.

Carmelo Abela (PL) praised private providers and NGOs for taking care of and managing national heritage sites with which they were entrusted. One had to ensure that property expropriated for historical reasons would not be given to operators to develop it and eradicate its historical character.

He spoke on timeframes set for compensation to be awarded to owners, and called on the government to give compensation to owners whose land had been taken long ago as soon as possible.

On the country's cultural heritage Mr Abela said that more should have been done by different governments to preserve and protect it. A lot of work needed to be done to preserve fortifications, with particular reference to the precarious state that Fort St Angelo was in.

He hoped that restoration work on projects financed by the EU would start soon. There was the need to give the necessary financial and human resources to the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

Noel Farrugia (PL) said that he expected the Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs to give his views on the Bill, in view of the fact that agricultural resources were scarce and had to be conserved.

Part of the country's heritage was the water distribution system. One had to preserve water and encourage methods and action that preserved agriculture.

Mr Farrugia referred to soil erosion, damage to rubble walls and flora and fauna. There was the need to conserve the rural environment and increase agricultural land.